MICHAELA SEEN WITH HER MUM

A NINE-YEAR-OLD girl has been missing for ten days amid fears she may have been abducted by her mother.

Michaela McCulloch ran away from her foster carers on April 17.

Since then police have been trying to contact her mother, who lives in Whitehawk, Brighton, but without success.

Police are quizzing the missing youngster's sister, who has told them Michaela is "safe and well", but will not disclose her whereabouts.

The children were placed in foster care at a Shoreham address nearly two weeks ago but both ran away.

Two days later, Michaela's 12-year-old sister called police from Whitehawk Road, Brighton, and was returned to foster care.

There have been several sightings of Michaela and her mother, Denise, in the Brighton area. However, all attempts by social services and police to contact the pair have failed.

Sgt Tony Lumb, who is heading the investigation from Hove police station, said he believed Michaela had been abducted by her mother after running away.

He added: "We are very keen to speak to Michaela's mother about the whereabouts of her daughter.

"Obviously the longer this drags on the more concerned we become."

Michaela's head teacher, Derek Lovell, from Downs Junior School, Brighton, said: "She is a lovely little girl who is keen on her schoolwork.

"She had just returned from an adventure trip to the Isle of Wight which she had really enjoyed - we all hope she is safe and well."

If you have any information on Michaela's whereabouts contact Sgt Lumb on 001273 606744.

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