Custody clash father tells why

Five-month-old Caitlin

An Auckland father at the centre of an international custody dispute has told his family he is hiding with his 5-month-old daughter because of an "unfair" court decision to award custody to her mother.

Police yesterday appealed for 39-year-old Stephen Paul Jelicich to contact them and hand over baby Caitlin, following a request by Interpol.

But Stephen Jelicich's father, Paul, last night told the Herald that his son would give himself up in exchange for a new custody hearing.

He said Stephen told him about his plan last Saturday and left with a stock of supplies for the baby, including food, nappies and clothing.

Caitlin was to have left with her mother, Diane Jelicich, for Wales on Monday, but Mr Jelicich took her into hiding at the weekend.

Mrs Jelicich left the country as scheduled with her 11-year-old daughter from another relationship and contacted police when she arrived in Wales.

Interpol then asked New Zealand police to investigate.

Inspector Janet Hope said police had no specific concerns for Caitlin's safety but were concerned that Mr Jelicich was acting against court orders.

"She [Mrs Jelicich] is very worried and upset this agreement has been broken," said Ms Hope.

"She is obviously concerned enough to raise this with authorities in Britain to make sure things are happening here."

Paul Jelicich said Stephen and his wife arrived home at the end of October for a family holiday in Kumeu, West Auckland.

The relationship, which he described as "volatile", soured during the visit.

"She said [to Stephen], 'I'm going to Wales and taking Caitlin with me and there's not a thing you can do about it, and I don't want you to come back'." Mr Jelicich said his son took advice from police and lawyers and sought custody of his daughter.

The case went to the Family Court before Christmas but was adjourned until January 10.

Mrs Jelicich applied for an urgent hearing and it was granted on January 6, when the court declared the case should be heard in Britain, where Caitlin was born, and awarded the mother custody.

Stephen Jelicich claimed the custody hearing was rushed and "all he wants is his day in court", said his father.

"Nothing was done right," said his mother, Jan Jelicich.

"He was supposed to be given 48 hours' notice [of a hearing] but because it was going to be Christmas Day he was given 24 hours."

Mr Jelicich snr said his son was a "good father" but "the system let him down" and running was his only option.

"If I could get him out of the country to some foreign country I'd get him there, because I think he's right.

" If he was wrong I'd tell him."

The family swear they do not know where Mr Jelicich is hiding.

They said Stephen Jelicich was an adoring father who would never harm his daughter.

Police said Mrs Jelicich was planning to return to New Zealand.

A police spokesman last night said that when Mrs Jelicich left New Zealand she was facing a charge of assaulting her husband.

It was withdrawn yesterday after lawyers acting for her and Mr Jelicich appeared before a judge.

There was no immediate plan to issue a warrant to arrest Mr Jelicich.

Anyone with information can contact the Orewa police on (09) 426-4555 or the nearest police station.