Fears grow for missing 15-year-old girl and her baby son

Concerns are growing for a 15-year-old girl and her baby son who have been missing for five days.

Romanian-born Catalina Covaci and six-month-old Ricardi were last seen leaving her home in Penrith, Cumbria, when she told her guardians she was going into the town centre.

She has lived in the country for 18 months but has family and associates across the UK including Manchester, Oldham, Glasgow, Hull and London.

Police have discovered that she was on a train bound for Manchester Piccadilly on Wednesday afternoon.

Detectives are particularly interested to establish whether Catalina and her son were travelling with anyone else and are appealing to witnesses to come forward.

Catalina is described as having very long straight hair that was dyed red the last time she was seen.

She often wears her hair in a bun, is of slim build and was last seen wearing a leopard print skirt, fake leather coat and black boots. However she is believed to have taken clothes for herself and Ricardi with her.

Detective Inspector Furzana Nazir said: "We are really worried about the welfare of Catalina due to her age, the fact she has her baby son with her and has very little money.

"She is vulnerable due to her age and we need to ensure her and her son are both ok. We have contacted colleagues in neighbouring forces and are appealing to the people of Cumbria to look carefully at her photograph and call us if they believe they've seen her.

"There is suggestion she may have been trying to contact some connections she has in Manchester or the Oldham area or may even be attempting to leave the country.

"She is not in any trouble - we just need to make sure she is safe and well this Christmas. She has strong connections within the Romanian community and we are confident that somebody out there knows where she is or will have information that can help us trace her. Please, if you know anything, come forward.

"If you think you've seen someone matching Catalina's description, get in touch with us immediately on 101."