Convicted killer Phillip Layton Edwards has defended himself on his Facebook page over the allegation that he has kidnapped a two-year-old boy. He has made a startling claim about the toddler’s mother, saying he only took the boy because his mother has cut her own wrist.

Edwards, 33, allegedly abducted Gabriel Witehira-Donnelly from his Panmure home about 12:15 pm on Sunday. The little boy has been reunited with his mum, Freda Witehira, at 7:30 pm the same day after police located him in a shed.

The police used basic “door-knocking” technique, which allowed them to find Gabriel at the rear of an Oran Road property in Panmure after inspecting the area for six hours.

“Thinking the child might still be in the company of the man who had taken him, they called for backup then retrieved the little boy from an open box he was crouching in,” police told AP NZ. “Access to the shed was not straightforward as the shed door was damaged and locked, although there was a gap between it and the frame.”

Edwards had already left the premises, while the boy was left cold and wet and half-naked.

On Tuesday morning, he took to Facebook to defend his action, posting on his wall, “I took boy cause mother cut her wrist.”

He also explained why he left the boy half-naked and cold.

“okay he shit his tresha itook it off he pissed his pants i took off and wrapped him in my clothes,” (sic) he wrote after commenters have accused him of endangering the toddler. He also said that the police were within five minutes away when he took off.

As for his haters, he has one thing to say: “Hate me Condem me then show me your perfect.” (sic)

Police, meanwhile, asked anyone with information about the suspect’s whereabouts to come forward. They are monitoring his mobile phone, but he has apparently not used it. He was wearing a dark blue hoodie, black jeans, and a pair of Nike shoes when he went on the run. He also had a grey hoodie with him.

Edwards was convicted of the manslaughter of celebrity interior designer David McNee in 2004. He was living on the streets after he had been out of prison for 11 days when McNee paid him to perform a solo sex act. Edwards claimed he was provoked after the designer touched him, which was against their agreement.

He punched McNee 30 to 40 times and broke into his home to shower and steal McNee’s car, wallet, and alcohol.

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