Parents' plea to missing daughter

Police say Ms Bracht has no means of supporting her children

The parents of a woman who vanished from her home with her five daughters have appealed for her to come home.

Natalie Bracht, 34, who suffers from a personality disorder, fled Sunderland on 17 May when she found out her children were to be taken into care.

She was spotted in Harlesden, London, last week, but has since vanished.

Police said she had made up a series of stories about her past. Her parents John and Heidrun Brown said they loved her and wanted her to come home.

During her time on the run, Ms Bracht has approached a number of organisations, fabricating stories to gain support and shelter, Northumbria Police said.

She has been telling people her father was an asylum seeker who worked for the Israeli Government, claims which are untrue, police said.

Natalie is an accomplished story teller, but the truth is far more mundane Det Chf Insp Roger Ford

Mr Brown said: "My wife and I are very worried about Natalie and the girls and I urge her to hand herself into the police.

"We are greatly upset by some of the things Natalie is suggesting to be true to other people.

"I am English and moved to Germany in the 1970s to live with my family and have never had to seek asylum. Natalie is unwell and urgently needs help."

Ms Bracht has been diagnosed with a histrionic personality disorder, which includes a tendency to make rash decisions and exaggerate emotion.

Ms Bracht moved to the North East from Germany in 2006 with her children and speaks good English, with a strong German accent.

Det Chf Insp Roger Ford of Northumbria Police said: "Natalie is an accomplished story teller, but the truth is far more mundane.

"She has been assessed by her local social services and based on their findings interim care orders have been put in place for all five of her daughters."