This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Federal Circuit Court and Family Court of Australia.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia are seeking public assistance to help locate 17-month-old baby, Hoang Vinh Le, born on 21 June 2020.
Vinh was removed from the care of his maternal grandmother on 9 April 2021 in Canberra by his parents Hoang Thanh Le, born 6 December 1992 and Lyn Kim Do, born 15 February 2000.
Court Orders are in place for Vinh to live with his maternal grandmother since 19 April 2021.
The parents have told authorities that on about 19 May 2021 they gave the child to a person they identified as ‘Kathy Nguyen’, someone they had met at a coffee shop, and had paid $200 to care for the child. The parents were arrested by Police on 20 May 2021, however the child was not located and has not been seen since, despite police efforts. The parents have not provided sufficient details to enable the police to identify the person who they say is caring for Vinh. Authorities have not been able to confirm whether the person who may be caring for the child is known by ‘Kathy Nguyen’ name or exists at all.
The Court made a Recovery Order on 19 April 2021 for Vinh to be returned to the care of his maternal grandmother but that Order has not been complied with. The Recovery Order remains in effect as Vinh’s location and the identity of the person who is with him are currently unknown and authorities are concerned for his welfare.
Vinh may been in the following areas of New South Wales:
- Cabramatta/Bankstown;
- Liverpool
- West Wyalong;
- Temora; and
- Wagga Wagga.
