Three women, aged between 75 to 46, accused of helping mothers in the middle of bitter custody battles abduct their own children are charged

  • Three women allegedly assisted in the parental abduction of children nationwide
  • They helped mothers by providing transport and accommodation to children  
  • The women face a maximum of 10 years in jail for conspiracy to defeat justice
  • A further three men were arrested last week as part of nationwide investigation 
  • Authorities uncovered $140,000 yacht allegedly planned to transport children

By Sophie Tanno For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 20:02 EST, 4 November 2018 | Updated: 20:02 EST, 4 November 2018

Three women have been accused of helping mothers abduct and hide their own children.

The women, aged 75, 68 and 46, allegedly played an active role in the abduction of three children earlier this year.

The arrests are part of a two-year Australian Federal Police investigation into parental abduction, during which authorities uncovered a $140,000 yacht allegedly used to transport kids overseas.

Three women have been accused of helping mothers in the midst of bitter custody battles to abduct their own children (pictured: police arresting three men in relation to the investigation)

Three women have been accused of helping mothers in the midst of bitter custody battles to abduct their own children (pictured: police arresting three men in relation to the investigation)

The arrests are part of a long-running investigation by the AFP into a group allegedly assisting the parental abduction of children across Australia

The arrests are part of a long-running investigation by the AFP into a group allegedly assisting the parental abduction of children across Australia

The trio allegedly assisted in stealing the children by providing transport, accommodation and other forms of support to help the mothers evade police.

Police allege the group dyed the children's hair and changed their names and birth dates.

The allegedly abducted children have since been recovered by the Australian Federal Police.

The women could face up to 10 years behind bars for conspiracy to defeat justice, or the lesser penalty of seven years for child stealing.

The trio were arrested on October 17. Authorities also conducted search warrants at premises in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.

A further three men were arrested late last week in relation to the nationwide case, including a 64-year-old man in Grafton who authorities allege was the key financier and organiser of efforts to help two separate women abduct their children.

The $140,000 yacht was allegedly going to be used to transport abducted children from its mooring in Tasmania to New Zealand or South Africa, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. 

'The actions of these people in deliberately ignoring court orders and helping hide children from their extended families, the Courts and law enforcement cannot be justified,' Assistant Commissioner Debbie Platz, National Manager Crime Operations, said.

'This activity has the potential to significantly endanger the safety and wellbeing of children,' she said.

A further three men were arrested late last week in relation to the nationwide case

A further three men were arrested late last week in relation to the nationwide case

The 75-year-old Taree woman and 68-year-old Newcastle woman are scheduled to appear before the Brisbane Magistrates Court on December 7.

The 46-year-old Townsville woman is scheduled to appear before the Magistrates Court on 20 December 2018.  

Any person with information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers.

 

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Three women accused of helping mothers in the middle of bitter custody battles

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