Stacey Smith had not seen her daughters in more than seven weeks.
Stacey Smith had not seen her daughters in more than seven weeks.
A New Zealand mother of four young girls taken by their father in Australia has been reunited with her daughters.
Stacey Smith had not seen Charity-Beth, 11, Evergreen, 8, Summer, 3, and Serenity, 2, in more than seven weeks.
The children were taken from school and daycare by their father,New Zealander Joseph Smith, on October 27.
Serenity Smith. Photo / Supplied
Stacey Smith, a 35-year-old account administrator, said she was shocked but delighted when yesterday, out of the blue, Mr Smith dropped the girls off at her Melbourne home.
"It was very overwhelming. I was so surprised, I wasn't expecting it and it was just amazing to get them back," she told the Herald.
"I just cried. I was just so, so relieved and I just had such a deep gratitude that they were finally home. I just cried all day yesterday, like I finally felt like I could let my guard down and cry properly."
Summer Smith. Photo / Supplied
Mrs Smith said the girls had been well cared for and were now settling back into life at home.
"The older girls were a bit confused yesterday. It is just a bit hard because they have been with their dad for seven weeks and they have been without me for seven weeks and then having to adjust.
"They miss their dad and they were just a bit confused about what has happened to him. I had to reassure them he is not in trouble with the law and they had been reported as missing but that doesn't mean he is in trouble."
Evergreen Smith. Photo / Supplied
Mrs Smith said she and her husband had parted ways on January 26 this year after 15 years of marriage and had arranged shared custody of the girls. This meant her husband had not broken any law. The girls were, however, put onto the missing-persons list.
Mrs Smith said her daughters had been returned to her just in time for Christmas.
Charity-Beth Smith. Photo / Supplied
The family are planning to spend Christmas at home with Mrs Smith's parents, who are flying in from New Zealand and Western Australia.
