Runaway daughter reunited with family after manhunt

Craig Howard during his Tauranga Court appearance. Photo / Sarah Ivey

A 14-year-old girl was yesterday reunited with her family after 12 days on the run with a 41-year-old man.

Julie Davis was found with Craig Howard in a Rotorua hot pool at 11pm on Tuesday after a member of the public tipped police off.

Howard was arrested and taken back to Tauranga for interviewing by detectives, while Julie was placed in Child, Youth and Family Care before being allowed to see her family yesterday afternoon.

Shortly afterwards, Howard appeared in the Tauranga District Court charged with abduction.

The 41-year-old entered no plea and was remanded on bail but ordered to have no contact with Julie or her family.

Julie's family attended his court appearance and spoke of their relief that she was found, but anger at what Howard had done.

"Whether it's been a sexual relationship or not, she will come back a different kid," Julie's step-aunt, Stephanie Gibson, said.

"You don't know if he's been giving her drugs, you don't know anything."

Julie's mother, Rosina, said the fact her daughter had been found was a huge relief.

"I'm grateful to all the media and the public and the police for everything they've done to get our little girl back."

Ms Davis had been briefly reunited with her daughter at a CYF building next to the courthouse before Howard's appearance, and spoke as she and other immediate family members went to see the 14-year-old again.

"She seemed happy to be coming home ... We haven't really had a chance to talk about much at the moment."

Asked if there was anything she wanted to say about Howard, she said:

"I don't want to say anything about him. I just hope justice is done."

Julie and her mother left the CYF building after about an hour, accompanied by two women who appeared to be social workers.

Police said it was up to CYF to decide when Julie would return home because experts needed to assess her risk of fleeing again, and it could take several days.

Howard was taken back to Tauranga police station where he stood in the front door in the prison boiler suit he had worn in court.

Members of Julie's extended family outside the station demanded to know why the 41-year-old had taken her away.

"It was her choice," he said. "She wanted to." Asked by the Herald if he had done anything sexual with Julie, he said, "No, not at all."

Howard claimed the 14-year-old had rung him up and told him she was suicidal, then threatened to harm herself if he got her help or took her to police while they were on the run.

"She wouldn't let me. She threatened to harm herself"

He said "I'm sorry, I just thought I was a big help", but a woman from the extended family screamed, "You need f***ing help, mate. You're the one that needs help."

Howard replied: "I think I do now".

A police officer came out of the station upon hearing the commotion and demanded the group leave.