Gardaí announced earlier this week that they were ‘concerned’ for the welfare of a mother and her week-old newborn after they were reported missing, and there have been numerous appeals to track the pair down over the past few days.
In a welcome development to the story however, it has been reported that Paige Holland and her daughter Nevaeh are both safe and sound.
The 23-year-old mother, originally from the UK, told the Irish Sun last night that there is no cause for concern.
“My baby and I are both doing well,” she said, adding that she had been in touch via telephone with the gardaí, but she was not prepared to disclose her location.
Ms Holland expressed her shock over the authorities’ public appeals for help in tracing her and her baby’s whereabouts, but she added that the concern may have originated from social services in the UK.
She went on to share a photograph of herself with her daughter, telling the publication: “I have issued photographs because I want people to see the love and care my child is receiving, just like any other mother.”
Ms Holland said that she would let gardaí know of her whereabouts if they assured her that she can remain with her child, and offered to be assessed at a mother-and-baby unit in order to confirm her capabilities.
However, the gardaí are still appealing for Ms Holland to get in touch with them. They are also liaising with TUSLA, the Child and Family Agency, on the matter.
