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Posted: 2022-08-18 02:38:55

A multi-agency taskforce has been established to search for missing five-year-old girl, Grace Hughes, with police claiming a group peddling "ideologies and false information" abducted her. 

Police allege Grace was taken without permission by her mother Laura Hinks, also known as Laura Bolt, during a supervised parental visit in the Darwin suburb of Berrimah on the afternoon of August 7.

The pair hasn't been seen since. 

However, another Darwin woman, 50-year-old Juliet Oldroyd, was on Saturday charged with child abduction in relation to the disappearance of Grace. 

A taskforce has now been set up to intensify search efforts, which will include the Australian Federal Police and other agencies. 

In a statement, Northern Territory Police said "the taskforce is committed to locating her and reuniting her with her lawful guardian".

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Jon Beer said a group of people has claimed to have abducted Grace and "continues to peddle ideologies and false information that have no regard for the mental wellbeing of a five-year-old girl".

"The conduct of this group is despicable," he said.

A woman and a young girl smile into the camera. The photo is in black and white.
Laura Hinks and her daughter Grace Hughes remain missing. (Supplied: NT Police)

"NT Police will continue to target this group and any other persons assisting the ongoing harbouring of Grace.

"Police will use every power available to them to locate Grace. Anyone who is found to have harboured those who abducted Grace will face significant charges before the courts."

Ms Oldroyd, who was charged with child abduction, faced Darwin Local Court on Monday, represented by her husband and flanked by a group of supporters. 

NT Police has urged anyone inside this group or members of the public that have any knowledge of Grace's abduction to come forward and contact police on 131 444 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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