Six-year-old Phoenix Mapham has been missing for six days. Photos: Supplied by ACT Policing.
ACT Policing are urging the mother of a six-year-old Canberra boy who has been missing for almost a week to hand him in to authorities.
It has been six days since Phoenix Mapham was last seen in Hickey Court, Weston Creek and police are seriously concerned for the boy’s wellbeing.
Detective Senior Sergeant Harry Hains said Phoenix was taken unlawfully in a white 1999 Holden Vectra sedan (registration YAU56P) driven by a woman believed to be his mother, Tessa Woodcock.
Concerns escalated yesterday afternoon, prompting police to issue the territory’s first ever amber alert which is reserved for high-risk missing person cases or in a child abduction case.
Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, Detective Senior Sergeant Harry Hains made a direct plea to Tessa Woodcock to come forward.
“We need to know that your son is OK,” he said. “We need to see him — we are talking about his health, we are talking about his safety.
“You need to bring him to a place where we can verify that you are taking care of him, which could be a hospital, a doctor’s surgery, a health facility or a police station.
“Please bring him in. I urge you, Tessa, to bring Phoenix in.”
Police said there may be associates of Ms Woodcock who know where the mother and son are and are urging them to contact police and let them know where the boy is.
Phoenix and his mother may also be travelling in a blue Subaru Forester or similar vehicle with a broken rear window and a damaged front end. Police believe the vehicle might have the possible registration YKP08U.
The pair is believed to be in either the ACT or NSW.
Station Sergeant Hains said amber alerts were not issued lightly and ACT Policing was working with all state and territory counterparts in their search.
Anyone with information is urged to call ACT Policing on 02 6256 7777 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and quote reference 6300755.
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