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Mother puts daughters in hijab disguise to avoid police
Danny Brierley18 Nov 2008
A MOTHER who feared her children were about to be taken into care dodged police and social services by dressing in robes and head scarves.
Pictures released today show Natalie Bracht, who according to Northumbria police has a personality disorder, and her five daughters, aged between five and 13, dressed in their disguises.
She may have been helped to hide from the authorities after claiming to be the daughter of a Libyan spy whose life was at risk, say detectives.
The family was seen on CCTV at King's Cross station, where it is thought she travelled to from her home in Sunderland. When seen on CCTV in Newcastle Mrs Bracht was wearing a red anorak but by the time she had arrived in London the entire family was kitted out in hijab-style clothing.
The pictures were released for the first time
without the children's faces obscured after the High Court granted permission for them to be publicly identified to help trace them.
The children are Manjuh Vossing, 13, Naomi Joy Sharan Vossing, 12, Indira Zoe Pirijo Bracht, 10, Naima Sina Isis Marjaleena Anutosch Bracht, nine, and five-year-old Margo Noemi Elinour Chrisanty Bracht.
Since fleeing on 17 May they have been spotted at a London mosque and were thought to be staying in Harlesden. They were then traced to a commune near Yeovil, Somerset, and in June police believe the mother took the girls to Moretonhampstead on the edge of Dartmoor. Ms Bracht, 35, came to Sunderland from Dusseldorf in 2006, and speaks good English with a German accent.
Her family have urged her to return home. Since she disappeared an interim care order has been granted for the missing children.
Detective Chief Inspector Ian Bentham, of Northumbria Police, said: “Natalie is seen wearing a white robe and head scarf while some of her daughters also seem to be wearing head scarves. We don't know how they are dressed now — they may have altered their appearance.”
Anyone with information should call police on 03456 043 043.
Reader views (11)
Nigel and Kev their face weren't even covered so maybe you should re- read the article.
It's a choice for religious women who should have this choice and no one should take that away from them.
- Cece2783, Ladbroke Grove, London, 02/09/2011 18:14
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So if people are beating their Kids, starving them the social services use every means to keep them with the parents.
But if someone dresses differently, well the kids have to be taken away?
Keep running!
- Rabbi Clive Rosenberg, London, 03/12/2008 21:26
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I'm suspicious of this story, just because quoting a 'personality disorder' seems a little vague to me. Was she abusing the children or putting their lives at risk, it doesn't say so? If her kids are safe from violence and happy then I say good luck to her.
As someone else says, there is more to this story than meets the eye at the moment
- Suzy, London, UK, 19/11/2008 11:07
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Smart enough to outfox the fuzz therefore smart enough to look after her own kids.
Is a personality disorder what the police call it when trying to discredit someone?
There is more to this story than meets the eye.
- Jimbob, Kensington, 18/11/2008 20:38
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Funny how children that are really in danger are left with mothers that end up abusing and/or killing them and yet this mother has had to flee with her daughters to avoid having them taken off of her... methinks something seriously wrong with the authorities!
- Nicola, London, 18/11/2008 18:54
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This demonstrates in yet another way why it should be made illegal to wear any headgear which conceals the wearer's face, unless there is an overriding legal requirement to do so (protective headgear for cyclists, workmen, etc.)
Before anyone screams, face-hiding is not an Islamic religous requirement, it is merely a custom in some parts of the world, and those parts do not include England!
- Nigel, London, 18/11/2008 18:14
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So whats new,They fooled London transport for years as buss drivers etc have been told thay cant ask these woman to lift up there veils to be identified,Eddie u right on.
- Kev, London, 18/11/2008 17:45
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Detective Chief Inspector Ian Bentham, “We don't know how they are dressed now — they may have altered their appearance.”
Genius... utter Genius
With sharp minds like that on the force, no criminal is safe.
- G, Liverpool, 18/11/2008 16:49
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She sounds like a bright woman to me. I personally don't buy the 'personality disorder' schtick. Intelligent enough to outwit the authorities, leave her alone with her kids.
- Kelly, Muscat Oman, 18/11/2008 15:49
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Where to begin...
- Trunk, US, 18/11/2008 15:22
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Ingenious.One sure way not to be stopped,questioned or even searched.You're virtually fireproof wearing that get up.
- Eddie, London, 18/11/2008 15:18
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