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Missing two-year-old Aisling Symes
The search for a missing toddler in Auckland moves into
its third day today, with family and police still hopeful she
may be found alive.
Two-year-old Aisling Symes went missing from a Longburn Rd
house in the suburb of Henderson about 5.30pm on Monday.
More than 100 search and rescue staff resumed the search for
her at first light today after spending all day yesterday
scouring the area including local waterways.
Aisling was with her parents, who were cleaning her deceased
grandparents' empty home, when she walked away.
Police say she was last seen talking to an Asian woman with a
dog on Longburn Rd.
They haven't ruled any scenario out, but don't suspect
anything sinister in her disappearance.
Waitakere area commander Inspector Gary Davey said Aisling
was known to like water, which was one of the major natural
hazards in the area along with the roads.
He said police were keen to hear from the Asian woman in her
30s, about 165cm tall with a medium build and long straight
black hair.
She was wearing a black crew neck top, with three-quarter
length sleeves, three-quarter length blue jeans, black
leather sandals and black socks, and had a black and grey
medium sized dog on a lead.
Mr Davey said the woman had been seen walking behind Aisling
and then touched the back of her shoulder before continuing
to walk around a corner.
"There may be language barriers, and maybe she could be
frightened to come forward," Mr Davey said.
"But police would dearly like to speak to this woman and find
out what she knows."
Aisling was described as being tall for her age, of European
appearance, with light brown hair.
She was believed to be wearing a green parka jacket or ski
jacket, blue jeans embroidered with flowers, and white tennis
shoes.
Anyone with information about Aisling or her whereabouts was
asked to contact Henderson police, or call 0800 42475464.
