Police seeking abducted deaf girl

From: BBC News, UK - May 11, 2005

Police have launched a nationwide hunt for a man who has abducted his partially deaf six-year-old sister.

Roseanne Mangan and her twin brother were outside a chip shop in Leicester on 25 April when older brother Michael and a young woman pulled up in a car.

The girl was then dragged into the Vauxhall Astra before it drove away.

Police say Michael Mangan and Bridgette McDonagh, both aged 24 and from Bristol, had already been banned from contacting the twins.

Hearing aids

A limited telephone contact has been made with Mr Mangan since the day of the abduction to try to negotiate Roseanne's return, the Leicestershire force said.

But his promises to return her to her carer had come to nothing.

Roseanne is not thought to be at immediate risk of harm, but police and social workers are increasingly worried about her welfare.

Det Supt Bob Small, who is leading the inquiry, said: "Michael has been given ample opportunity to return Roseanne as he has promised several times to do but these promises have gone unfulfilled."

He added: "We know that they have travelled extensively in the last two weeks, and the strain of this lifestyle coupled with the impact of being separated from her twin brother, gives rise for serious concerns about Roseanne's emotional well-being."

Mr Small said the couple had visited several major cities as well as some smaller regional towns and are currently believed to be in the south of England.

Mr Mangan is described as white, 5ft 9ins tall, with short wavy brown hair with a pale complexion and freckles. He is of slim build and speaks with an Irish accent.

Ms McDonagh is described as white, 5ft 7ins tall, with bleached blonde shoulder length hair and of medium build, and also has an Irish accent.

Roseanne is white, 3ft 6ins tall, with shoulder length brown hair and brown eyes.

She may also be wearing a hearing aid in each ear.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/england/leicestershire/4536949.stm

Published: 2005/05/11 12:50:24 GMT

© BBC MMV