Police urge care over visiting children

Christchurch police have made a plea for families to take extra care to check on children visiting their homes.

This comes after seven-year old Taraipinie Skudder was reunited with her family this morning after being missing from her Hoon Hay home overnight.

The girl was found in the area by her family, after apparently staying the night at the home of former school friends.

"We are delighted that the girl was found safe and well this morning," says Senior Sergeant Rob Patterson of Christchurch South Police. "But her family has been through a lot of unnecessary stress.

"It was also frustrating that significant Police resources, as well as volunteer search and rescue teams, were tied up overnight and from early this morning, when a simple phone call could have put everyone's minds at rest.

"Of course it's natural for children to visit friends. But we urge families to watch out for children who may be visiting, check their wellbeing, and make sure the child's family is aware of their whereabouts.

"If people are unsure who to contact, please phone Police."

Senior Sergeant Patterson says the missing girl's family reported her missing at around 10pm last night.

"The family did all the right things in terms of checking addresses where the girl might have gone. The family and police checked a number of homes overnight and this morning, but the address where she was staying wasn't one of those."

Senior Sergeant Patterson says Police liaison officers will be talking to the families involved to get a clearer picture of what occurred. "Hopefully our communities can learn from this and avoid the worry that this family has been through overnight."

ENDS

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