Hunt for abandoned girl's father

Police in three countries are now investigating the family tragedy

New Zealand police have issued an arrest warrant for the father of a child abandoned in Australia after confirming the death of her mother.

They asked US authorities to find Nai Yin Xue, who flew to Los Angeles after allegedly leaving his three-year-old daughter at Melbourne train station.

The body of mother Annie Xue was found at the family home in Auckland. Police say she died in a "violent episode".

The plight of the abandoned child has made headlines around the world.

International search

The body of Mrs Xue, who was also known as Anan Liu, was found in the boot of her husband's car outside the couple's Auckland home on Wednesday.

TIMELINE 10 Sept: Last sighting of mother Annie Xue 13 Sept: Father Nai Yin Xue arrives in Australia from Auckland with Qian Xun Xue 15 Sept: CCTV shows Nai Yin Xue abandoning Qian Xun Xue at Melbourne train station. He later flies to LA 19 Sept: NZ police find body of woman outside family home in Auckland 20 Sept: Police confirm body is that of Annie Xue, issue arrest warrant for Mr Xue

Police had begun searching the house after the couple's daughter, Qian Xun Xue, was found abandoned at Southern Cross railway station in Melbourne, Australia, on Saturday.

Security cameras showed her father - a Chinese-language magazine publisher who had lived in New Zealand for 10 years - leaving the little girl behind.

Just hours later, he fled to the US city of Los Angeles, Australian police say.

Senior Sergeant Simon Scott said that police efforts were now focused on finding Mr Xue, 54.

An arrest warrant for murder and kidnapping had been issued, he said, and investigators were liaising with agencies in both the US and Australia.

The little girl, who rescuers initially called Pumpkin because of the brand of clothing she was wearing, is being looked after by foster carers in Melbourne.

Her maternal grandmother, 53-year-old Liu Xiaoping, is travelling from China to Australia to be reunited with her.

"What she is going through now has no doubt left scars on her heart," the Australian Broadcasting Corporation quoted her as saying.

"The Australian government and people have given her great caring and support, for which I feel very grateful, but it will take some time for her to recover and walk out of the shadow cast on her heart."