KEY POINTS:
Snatched schoolgirl Caitlin Thorne has been returned to the safety of her West Auckland grandparents but her future remains unclear.
The 7-year-old, who has lived with her father, Terry Thorne, in Sydney since January, was visiting her grandparents for the school holidays when she was taken by her mother, Nicola Richards, last week.
Concerned about Richards' alleged drug use and criminal associations, Mr Thorne applied for and was granted custody of Caitlin.
Fearing for her safety, he also appealed to the public for information about his daughter.
Yesterday, after a morning of speaking with police and her lawyer, Richards agreed to return Caitlin following a court appearance on drug-related charges.
By 3pm, the girl was back with her grandparents, although new legal action means it is still not clear whom she will permanently live with.
Mr Thorne told the Herald he had spoken to his daughter from Sydney yesterday and was relieved to hear she was safe. "She was just in tears, she couldn't say anything. I know she's safe, she's with her grandparents and I'm just so happy."
Mr Thorne said that while Richards had returned Caitlin she had also gone to the courts to prevent her from leaving the country until the custody issue was resolved.
Mr Thorne was expected to arrive in New Zealand today to see Caitlin and meet Richards.
He said he did not want to prevent Richards from seeing her daughter and this was not about who got to have Caitlin. His concern was for his daughter's wellbeing.
Caitlin originally moved to Australia to be with her father after concerns about her mother's ability to care for her.
Outside the Auckland District Court yesterday, Richards - who was appearing on two methamphetamine-related charges and one charge of obstructing a police officer - did not respond to questions about her parenting skills.
After pleading not guilty to the charges, she was remanded on bail until December 9 for a status hearing.
Her lawyer, Chris Comeskey, told reporters Caitlin had been in New Zealand with extended family since last week, and Richards had only just become aware of the order granting custody to Mr Thorne on Monday.
"My client has only become aware that there is a parenting order ... and has acted responsibly and timely and seeking advice at all times."
He said Richards had always intended Caitlin to be returned quickly and to deal with any issues that existed. She had been "open and honest" when speaking to police and wanted to tell her side of the story.
Caitlin was not happy at being pushed and pulled like a "ragdoll" and had been stressed by the publicity, he said.
Police say they are unlikely to have any further involvement in the case.
