KEY POINTS:
A 21-month-old boy has been reunited with his mother after an alleged abduction sparked a police manhunt in a rural settlement in the Bay of Plenty.
The child was allegedly abducted by his intoxicated father following a domestic dispute at a house in Ruatoki, 23km south of Whakatane, the Whakatane Beacon reported.
The man allegedly left the house with the child after the argument about 2am yesterday. The boy was lightly clad, sparking fears for his safety due to cold overnight temperatures in the area.
A search was launched and the pair was found safe and well at 6.45am and the child was returned to his mother.
The father, 39, has been charged with assault and will appear in Whakatane District Court today.
The matter has also been referred to Child Youth and Family, Senior Sergeant Bruce Jenkins said.
- NZPA
