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Concerns over two missing boys in family court case
Concerns over two missing boys in family court case
(about 1 hour later)
Two boys at the centre of a family court case have gone missing, lawyers say.
Two British boys subject to child protection orders are feared to have been unlawfully taken to Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus by their mother and her partner.
Social services officials believe that Charlie Clift, five, and Kaiton Warnes, two, are in north Cyprus with their mother Amelia Warnes, 23, from Eastbourne, East Sussex.
In an unusual step, a family court judge has allowed lawyers representing the father of one of the boys and local authorities to name the youngsters in an attempt to find them.
A judge who has been analysing the case at private family court hearings in London has given permission for lawyers to reveal the boys’ identities in the hope that publicity will help find them.
Charlie Clift, five, and Kaiton Warnes, two, are thought to be in the north of the island with their mother Amelia Warnes, 23, and her partner, Kaiton’s father, Jason Warnes, 26, who are from Eastbourne and St Leonard’s in East Sussex respectively.
Sir Gavyn Arthur said he had “grave concern” for the youngsters’ welfare.
Both boys were the subject of child protection plans and are wards of court, while social services at East Sussex county council have launched family court proceedings with decisions about the boys’ future expected soon.
Lawyers have released detail of the case in a statement – approved by the judge at a hearing in London on Thursday.
Judge Sir Gavyn Arthur appealed to the public for help in finding the boys as there are serious concerns for their safety and welfare.
They said social services bosses at East Sussex county council had launched family court proceedings and judges were likely to be asked to make decisions about the boys’ futures.
“Both boys have been made wards of the high court after both were removed from the UK whilst on child protection plans and the subjects of ongoing family court proceedings brought by East Sussex county council,” a statement from the lawyers said.
Both boys were the subject of child protection plans and both were wards of court, lawyers said.
The Warnes and the children are thought to have stayed in Lapta, in Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus, and Jason was thought to have been working in the hotel industry.
Lawyers say the boys are thought to be in Cyprus with their mother and her partner – Kaiton’s father – Jason Warnes, 26, of St Leonards, East Sussex.
Charlie’s father – carpenter Dominic Burt, 25, from St Leonards – has not seen his son for months, lawyers said.
They said the family was thought to have stayed in Lapta, northern Cyprus - and Jason Warnes was thought to have been working in the hotel industry.
Burt, who has told lawyers how Charlie loves “dressing up in Spider-Man and Batman outfits” and “eating cheese”, provided a photograph of the boys in the hope that they would be spotted.
Charlie’s father – carpenter Dominic Burt, 25, also of St Leonards – had not seen his son for months, lawyers said.
Burt, who has told lawyers how Charlie loves “dressing up in Spider-Man and Batman outfits” and “eating cheese”, had provided a photograph of the boys in the hope that they would be spotted by the public.
Lawyers urged anyone who may have seen the boys or their mother and Warnes to raise the alarm.
The judge has ordered the boys’ mother and Warnes to return the youngsters and said at Thursday’s hearing: “There is evidence before the court which causes the court grave concern.”
Detail was released in a statement compiled by lawyers representing East Sussex council and Burt.
“His honour Judge Sir Gavyn Arthur has made an order permitting the identification of the two boys,” said the statement.
“Both boys have been made wards of the high court after both were removed from the UK whilst on child protection plans and the subjects of ongoing family court proceedings brought by East Sussex county council.”
They said the boys’ mother’s last-known address in the UK was in Eastbourne.
Lawyers said Charlie had been abducted.
“Both boys are believed now to be residing in north Cyprus,” said the statement.
“His honour Judge Sir Gavyn Arthur has asked for the assistance of the public in looking for these two young boys as there are serious concerns for their safety and welfare.”
The statement added: “If anyone has any information as to the whereabouts of these children please contact Alison Newbold, Solicitor at East Sussex county council.”
