BBC News Online: UK

Charlotte's mother in court

Charlotte Jones, who had been missing for 29 hours, was found in a copse near her Warrington home on Tuesday and police said they did not believe she could have survived much longer.

Her mother, Michelle Jones, 24, who reported her missing on Monday evening, was charged on Wednesday night.

Ms Jones, who is from the Dallam area of Warrington, remains in custody and will appear before magistrates in the town on Thursday morning.

Cheshire Police said Charlotte, who had minor cuts and scratches caused by the undergrowth and was suffering from exposure, is likely to be released from hospital on Thursday.

PC Janet Critchley, a child protection officer, spoke of the child's condition when she was first discovered in the undergrowth.

"She was naturally very cold, wet and frightened."

She said: "We were led by her crying and the crying motivated us to her and she obviously got very distressed when she saw us."

PC Critchley described Charlotte as a "hardy little girl that's shown a lot of strength".

She told BBC News 24: "She's a happy confident little girl who last night just needed to feel safe and needed lots of cuddles."

Relevant Stories

Police appeal for help in Charlotte hunt (24 Nov 98 | UK)
Police focus on missing girl's house (24 Nov 98 | UK)

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