Abu Dhabi mum: 'Help me find my missing daughters'

Dubai: A mother is missing her two daughters, a four-year-old and a two-year-old, who were last seen in Sas Al Nakhl Village in Abu Dhabi on May 22.

Elizabeth G., a British expatriate based in Abu Dhabi, claimed her two daughters were spotted with another woman at Spinneys in Sas Al Nakhl Village in Abu Dhabi. She said her estranged husband was supposed to hand over the kids to her on May 10 to celebrate their youngest daughter’s second birthday but none of that happened.

“He [husband] has disappeared and has taken the kids with him. His phone is permanently switched off,” Elizabeth, 34, told Gulf News, adding they are in the process of getting a divorce.

Based on court documents Gulf News obtained, the Abu Dhabi Court of First Instance on May 14 granted custody of the kids to Elizabeth. But the kids are nowhere to be found.

Before all this happened, Elizabeth said she was abroad for three months, during which time her kids stayed with their father. On her return, they agreed to meet so the kids could spend time with her.

On May 8, Elizabeth claimed her husband fetched the kids from school for their supposed May 11 meeting. But the meeting never took place and her husband has since been out of reach.

Another court order dated May 15 ordered Elizabeth’s Australian husband to hand over the kids or he would be arrested should he resist.

When contacted through email, Elizabeth’s husband told Gulf News: “Please understand that this is a family matter which is currently being addressed before the courts and justice system in the UAE, and that this is a matter which should remain private in the interest of the children.”

Police could not give immediate comment by press deadline.

A spokesperson from the British Embassy said the mission “is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance”.

“I’m worried about their emotional well-being,” Elizabeth said, adding she fears that the situation between her and her husband has negatively affected her kids.

“My eldest daughter used to receive counselling because, emotionally, she is suffering a bit. My younger daughter suffers from convulsions with fever,” Elizabeth said.

“I want my children back. I just want to get on with my life,” she added.