Press Release Approved by the court on the 25th November 2009
Child Abduction to USA via Mexico – One Year On

Almost twelve months ago Pearl Rose GAVAGHAN DA MASSA (date of birth 6th April 2004 and 4½ years old at the time) was taken out of the country by her mother Helen GAVAGHAN (date of birth 14 June 1977) formerly of Clifton Road Chorlton Manchester without the consent of the child’s father.

Pearl was last seen in the United Kingdom at Old Moat Nursery Withington Manchester on 1st December 2008 when she was collected by her mother. They travelled to Mexico a week later and entered the USA on 30th December 2008. Neither have been seen or heard from since. The High Court has subsequently declared that Pearl’s removal from the jurisdiction of England & Wales was unlawful.

Pearl was due to start Primary School in January 2008 and also was waiting to see a specialist consultant at St Mary’s Hospital but the appointment was not kept.

Following the unlawful removal of Pearl from the UK it has been discovered that the Helen withdrew a large amount of cash and had also taken steps to change her name by deed poll and obtain a passport in the new name of META INTERNATIONAL. Police also removed a forged court order from the former home of the mother wrongly indicating sole custody of Pearl.

In fact Pearl was made the subject of a Shared Residence Order of the Manchester County Court in July 2008 by His Honour Judge Iain Hamilton in favour of both parents Miss GAVAGHAN and the father Mr Hollywood Henry DA MASSA of Tib Street City Centre Manchester. This order was made following several years proceedings in the family courts.

The case of the abduction of Pearl has been heard in private in the High Court of Justice since December 2008 and now at almost 12 months remove the details are being made the subject of a press release.

It is known that Helen and Pearl travelled to Cancun, Mexico on First Choice/Thomson charter flight TOM162 which left Manchester airport at 0930hrs on 9th December 2008 with the mother travelling under her new identity META INTERNATIONAL. They are confirmed to have stayed at the Posada La Paduana Hostel in Playa del Carmen between 9th and 12th December 2008 and the Weary Traveller Hostel in Tulum, Mexico between 16th and 18th December 2008. It is possible that they visited the Mexican town of Cuemavacas and stayed in Mexico City before crossing into Texas on foot at the US border town of Laredo late on 30th December 2008.

Despite extensive enquiries there have been no sightings of either Helen or Pearl since their border crossing into the United States of America and their current whereabouts is not known.

Investigations by both Greater Manchester Police and the father have shown that Helen had gone to great lengths to cover her tracks following the removal of Pearl and had no intention of returning home. Pearl should now be in full-time education and may still be in need of medical attention. It is also possible that Helen may be in need of support in dealing with the upbringing of Pearl.

Pearl is now 5½ yrs old and this will be her second Christmas away from home. There is a great deal of concern for both Pearl and Helen.

If anyone has any knowledge of the whereabouts of Helen and Pearl or has knowledge about their health and welfare they are urged to contact the Greater Manchester Police directly on 0161 872 5050 (UK) quoting missing person reference MP/09/0036529 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where all calls are treated in the strictest confidence.