Teen appears in court over alleged kidnapping

Rescue teams searched the area for the missing toddler. Daily Post photograph by Stephen Parker

A 17-year-old has appeared in the Rotorua District Court this morning, charged with kidnapping an 18-month-old from his Koutu home.

The teenager is charged with unlawfully carrying off the toddler without consent with intent to cause him to be confined.

He was granted interim name suppression.

He did not enter a plea and was remanded in custody until January 9.

The alleged kidnapping happened overnight Monday. The toddler was found unharmed yesterday morning.

The family of the boy were in court for the appearance.