Andrew John THOMPSON

abducted by his mother -

 Melinda Margaret THOMPSON aka Melinda Margaret STRATTON

                                                

GRAVE FEARS HELD FOR ABDUCTED AUSTRALIAN CHILD

 

In a rare move, the Family Court of Australia has issued a Publication Order enabling the release of information about an international parental child abduction that has taken place in breach of a Family Court order.

 Andrew Thompson, now aged four, was illegally abducted by his mother Melinda Thompson (nee Stratton) from Australia in April this year when Andrew was aged 3 ½ .

 They boarded a Singapore Airlines flight in Sydney and flew to Singapore before continuing on and disembarking in Frankfurt, Germany.

 They were ‘a no show’ on a booked return flight to Australia and have since disappeared. Melinda’s family has told the Australian Federal Police that they have no idea of her whereabouts.

 The Court issued the Publication Order due to grave concerns for Andrew’s emotional and physical well-being .The abduction took place shortly after a report by an independent psychiatrist was provided to the Court. Concerns are held for the mother’s emotional state and the child’s safety.

 The Australian Government and others have conducted an international search for the last seven months.  Interpol has issued international alerts for Andrew in 187 countries. The provisions of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abductions have also been activated. 

Andrew and Melinda Thompson are Australian Citizens, travelling on Australian Passports.

 Andrew’s father said, “The Family Court of Australia took the unusual step of issuing a Publication Order because of the extremely high level of concern for Andrew’s safety and the absence of any information about his whereabouts for more than seven months”.

 “The emotional effects of international parental child abduction are known to be severe and life-long. Andrew needs to be reunited with his family, his friends, his home, and his culture,” Andrew’s father said today. “I am appealing to the media to raise public awareness in Australia and overseas about his disappearance so that he can be found and returned home as quickly as possible” he said.

 Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Andrew and Melinda is able to contact the Australian Federal Police on (02) 6126 7777.

 For further information or to arrange an interview with Andrew’s father, contact: Robin Bowles 0418-102-732.

 

 

 

 

Family Court Reference Number: SYC 889/2008
 
Name: Andrew John THOMPSON
 
DOB: 19th August 2004
 
Age: 4 years
 
Nationality: Australian Citizen
 
Passport: Australian

Current whereabouts - Believed to be in Germany but attention is requested from every country.

 
Aliases: Andrew's mother could be using her maiden name of Melinda Margaret STRATTON. She could be using her maiden name for Andrew as well.
 
Andrew was abducted from Australia by his mother on 24th April 2008. They flew from Sydney to Singapore and then to Frankfurt with Singapore Airlines.
 
They had return tickets to Australia but failed to board their return flight.
 
Following their arrival at Frankfurt, both Andrew and his mother
(Melinda Margaret THOMPSON (nee STRATTON) - DOB 25th April 1962)
disappeared without trace.
 
Andrew's mother is also an Australian Citizen who is travelling on an Australian Passport.
 
Andrew's mother speaks fluent English, German, and French.
 
Grave concerns are held for Andrew's safety and well-being by his father, the Australian Federal Police, and Australian Child Protection agencies.
 
Serious concerns are also held for the mental state of Melinda Margaret THOMPSON
 
Melinda Margaret THOMPSON should not be approached under any circumstances
 
Any sightings or any knowledge about Andrew's whereabouts should be reported immediately to the Police (02) 6126 7777 or Crimestoppers on

1800 333 000.