30 August 2018

Six-year-old Phoenix found safe and well after week-long search

| Glynis Quinlan
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Six-year-old Canberra boy Phoenix Mapham has been found safe and well after having been missing for a full week.

ACT Policing located Phoenix in the Carwoola area late this afternoon (August 30) and have said that he will be brought back to the ACT to be reunited with his father, Cliff Mapham.

Phoenix’s mother, Tessa Woodcock, was found nearby a short time later. She has been arrested and taken to Queanbeyan Police Station.

Police state that Tessa Woodcock will face charges relating to the unlawful taking of Phoenix Mapham. ACT Detectives will be seeking her extradition from NSW tomorrow (August 31).

ACT Policing Detective Station Sergeant Harry Hains said it is “tremendous news” that Phoenix has been found and he has thanked everyone who assisted in the search for Phoenix.

“Our focus since last Thursday has been the safety of Phoenix. It is tremendous news that he has been found, and that he is safe and well,” Detective Station Sergeant Hains said.

“Many people provided information during the investigation. This was invaluable, and helped ACT Policing, NSW Police Force, and other agencies to find Phoenix this afternoon.”

Phoenix has been found safe and well.

Yesterday ACT Policing urged Phoenix’s mother to hand him in to authorities. At the time, police said they were seriously concerned about Phoenix’s well-being.

On Tuesday afternoon, police concerns over his safety led them to issue the territory’s first ever amber alert which is reserved for high-risk missing person cases or in a child abduction case.

Tonight Detective Station Sergeant Hains spoke of the community’s contribution to the search for Phoenix.

“At the conclusion of this extensive police operation, on behalf of ACT Policing I would like to express sincere thanks to the Canberra community, and the many people from the surrounding region who provided information in the week-long search,” he said.

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It seems that Phoenix is aptly named.

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