Missing mother and son: ‘You can’t keep hiding’
Police hunting for Becky Minnock, who has gone on the run with her three-year-old son Ethan after a court ruled he should live with his father, have told her: “You can’t keep on hiding forever.”
Ms Minnock, 35, fled her home in Highbridge, Somerset, with Ethan two weeks ago following a court order that he should live with his father, Roger Williams.
She has since contacted a number of newspapers to say she fled because she felt “trapped” and that while she has thought about giving herself up, each time she looks at her son she thinks she “can’t do that”.
On Friday Detective Chief Inspector Marie Wright, of Avon and Somerset Police, recorded a two-and-half-minute direct appeal to Ms Minnock and placed it on YouTube, urging the mother of one to give herself up.
“We know what you’re doing in the best for Ethan,” the detective said, “because obviously you’re (Ethan’s) mum and you’re thinking about what is best for him and doing what any mum would in the fact that you believe you are really protecting him.
“I know you are going to be under a huge amount of emotional pressure and strain and I want you to come to the right decision about you and.
“You don’t have to carry on hiding, there is always a solution and a way forward and we can help you through this.
“Please get in touch we really want to help you. Thank you.”
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The police appeal comes as Andrew Butt, 56, the partner of Miss Minnock’s mother, preapres to be sentenced after being found by Judge Stephen Wildblood QC to have told “a string of lies” in relation to his knowledge of the disappearance.
The lorry driver has been warned that he faces prison and is appearing at Bristol crown court.
Ms Minnock called the Sun earlier this week and has since contacted the Daily Mail, insisting that she and her son are “doing really well”.
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Police described Ms Minnock as 5ft 3in tall and of medium build, with dark, wavy shoulder-length hair. Ethan is of small build with blond hair and blue eyes.
Ethan, who was born on 25 January 2012, has lived with his mother since his parents separated in February 2013.
A custody battle began the following month. During the 27 May hearing this year, a judge said Ethan should live with Mr Williams and have supervised contact with his mother.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Somerset Investigations on the force number 101, quoting reference MP2189/15/.