KEY POINTS:
The NZ Herald can now name the drug addicted mother accused of snatching her 7-year-old girl - who lives in Australia with her father - during a school holidays visit to NZ.
The mother's name is Nicola Richards.
Concern is growing for the safety of 7-year-old Caitlin Thorne who was snatched while visiting her grandparents for the school holidays.
TV3 News reported today that Richards was due to appear in Auckland District Court tomorrow charged with possessing methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
They were allegedly found in her car when she was visiting her partner in prison.
Caitlin, who has been living with her father, Terry Thorne, in Sydney since January, was staying with her West Auckland grandparents for the holidays when she was taken by Miss Richards last Tuesday.
Caitlin should have been flown home yesterday in time for school today but never arrived. Her father is becoming increasingly concerned for his daughter's wellbeing and is appealing for help in finding her.
Mr Thorne said his daughter moved to Australia because her mother had become involved with P and associated with the criminal underworld.
Mr Thorne said he'd tried to contact Caitlin on her mobile phone but it had been switched off since she disappeared.
Richards was dating a known criminal, and when undercover policeman Don Wilkinson was killed last month while installing surveillance gear in a car, she was inside the house the vehicle was parked at.
Police said they were looking for Caitlin but there were issues to work through as both parents had legal custody of the girl when she was taken.
Mr Thorne said he had been granted custody of Caitlin after an interim parenting order was granted to him on Thursday.
He believes Caitlin's mother is aware of the order and is thought to be in hiding with their daughter.
His lawyer, Natalie Quirke, said it was unusual for an interim order to be made without giving the mother a chance to have her say.
But, after the Family Court was given a memorandum about the case - which included allegations about the mother's drug habits and criminal associates - the order was immediately granted on Thursday.
A warrant to enforce the parenting order was also granted, meaning police will be able to uplift Caitlin once they find her.
Police said today they were aware of the snatching but told TV3 News the mother had not done anything criminal yet in relation to her daughter.
Mr Thorne said he reluctantly sent his daughter to see her grandparents on the condition she didn't see her mother and was returned in time for the new school term.
However, halfway through the holidays Caitlin's mother arrived at the grandparents' house. She allegedly distracted them while a friend bundled the girl into the back of the car.
It is understood the grandparents are distraught about what happened and also fear for Caitlin's safety.
Mr Thorne believes Caitlin and her mother have left Auckland. The mother has links to Hamilton but may be heading towards Gisborne.
