Toronto police are trying to track down a British woman and her young daughter, who went missing from Manchester, England two years ago.
Authorities allege 33-year-old Helen Gavaghan fled England in December of 2008 with her now six-year-old daughter, Pearl Rose Gavaghan Da Massa.
Gavaghan was under a joint custody and shared residence order with the girl's father, Hollywood Henry Da Massa. After withdrawing a large amount of cash, changing her name and obtaining a new passport, she is alleged to have fled to Mexico with her daughter. The English High Court has ruled Pearl's removal from England unlawful.
Police say the two travelled around Mexico until late December when they crossed into Texas, eluding authorities.
Toronto police, in conjunction with England's Greater Manchester police discovered in February 2010 that Gavaghan had been living in Parkdale under the name of Dana Flaherty, and her daughter under the name Belle Flaherty. Gavaghan was working in child-care and home-schooling groups.
When police attempted to find Gavaghan at a Parkdale address, she had already moved, taking her daughter with her. They are now seeking the public's help in finding the two, whom they believe are still living in Toronto.
Helen Gavaghan is described as:
- five foot five inches tall
- thin build
- green/brown eyes
- long black hair, which may now be dyed and cut short
- prominent, angular nose
- wide ears
Pearl Rose Gavaghan Da Massa is described as:
- three foot seven, although she may be slightly taller
- normal build
- green/brown eyes
- last seen with light-brown, shoulder-length hair
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at (416) 808-5930, Crime Stoppers anonymously at (416) 222-TIPS (8477) or Child Find Ontario at 1-800-387-7967, quoting reference 5625-P.
