Abducted British girl, 6, and her mother may be in Toronto, investigators say

TORONTO - Police say a six-year-old girl reported abducted from her home in Manchester, England, in 2008 may be in Toronto.

Toronto police are seeking the public's help in locating Pearl Rose Gavaghan Da Massa, who was taken from England on Dec. 9, 2008, by her mother, Helen Gavaghan, 33, without consent.

The girl's father, Hollywood Henry Da Massa, and the mother had a joint custody order and shared residence order.

British authorities allege Helen Gavaghan withdrew a large amount of cash, changed her name to Meta International and took the girl to Cancun, Mexico, where they stayed before crossing into Texas on Dec. 30, 2008.

Toronto police say it was discovered in February that the pair had been living in Toronto for about 12 months under the names of Dana and Belle Flaherty.

When police went to investigate, they found the mother and daughter had moved, but said Thursday there has been a sighting in Toronto from early July.

Helen Gavaghan is described as five-foot-five, with a very thin build and green-brown eyes. When last seen she had long black hair.

Pearl Gavaghan is of normal build with green-brown eyes and when last seen had light brown, shoulder-length hair.