A NZ mother has not seen her daughters in more than five weeks. Photo / Supplied
A NZ mother has not seen her daughters in more than five weeks. Photo / Supplied
A New Zealand mother of four young girls missing in Australia says police have found a possible clue that may lead to the whereabouts of her daughters.
Stacey Smith has not seen her daughters Charity-Beth, 11, Evergreen, 8, Summer, 3, and Serenity, 2, in more than five weeks.
The children were taken from school and daycare by their father, New Zealander Joseph Smith, on October 27.
Summer Smith. Photo / Supplied
The girls have not been seen since then, leaving their mother in a state of panic, although she has received emails from Mr Smith.
"I am going out of my mind. I really am and it is only through a lot of support and encouraging messages [I am getting through]," she said.
The 35-year-old account administrator has had to endure an agonising wait for news, but said Australian police had informed her yesterday they could have a lead on her daughters' whereabouts.
"They said ... [the girls] could be interstate but [the police officer] wasn't able to go into further detail," Mrs Smith said.
A Melbourne police spokeswoman confirmed the children's names were on the missing persons list and police were looking for them. She was unable to comment further on any investigation into the children's whereabouts.
Mrs Smith said she and her husband had parted ways after 15 years of marriage on January 26 this year and had arranged shared custody of the girls.
"We have just had an arrangement that I would have them, the girls, during the week and he would have them in the weekends," Mrs Smith said.
That meant her husband was not breaking any law, making it difficult for her to enlist police action.
Serenity Smith. Photo / Supplied
"It has just been a nightmare trying to find Joseph. It is heartbreaking and gut-wrenching. I am just over it. I am frustrated, stressed and angry and it is just not fair."
To make matters worse, it was Serenity's birthday yesterday and Mrs Smith said it was "heartbreaking" she couldn't be with her baby to celebrate the occasion.
"My daughter [Charity-Beth] turned 11 on the 6th of November and then today, my youngest child turns 2. It is really just unfair and now I am dreading, 'oh my gosh am I going to get them back before Christmas?' I am starting to think of that because it has already been a long amount of time.
Charity-Beth Smith. Photo / Supplied
"I am worried and concerned for them for their emotional and mental state of mind."
The Kiwi mum said the past weeks had also taken a toll on her emotional health.
"I haven't had anxiety for a very long time but lately ... it takes a toll eventually, doesn't it," she said.
"It is just one of those crazy situations that you think is not real and it just sounds crazy when I explain the situation to people."
