Australian actress Eliza Szonert who played Danni Stark in “Neighbours” from 1993 to 1996, has been detained by the Malaysian police for “kidnapping son from ex-partner.” The 41-year-old actress hit headlines this month after she snatched away her child from former partner and father of the child, Ashley Crick, who was at a restaurant in Kuala Lumpur’s Mid Valley Mega Mall.

Two large men kept Crick engaged while Szonert hurriedly took away the child. Police started investigating the case after Crick lodged a complaint at Brickfields police headquarters the very day Szonert abducted her baby on Dec. 10. Szonert alleged that she and her child were stranded in Malaysia as their passports were being held back by Crick. He had also refused to give the baby back to Szonert. The mother and child had visited Kuala Lumpur to spend time with Crick. However, an argument broke out and Crick drove Szonert out of his house. She appealed to the Australian High Commission and took the help of the child recovery agency to snatch back her child.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Szonert has refused to hand over the child to the police and has even refused to provide details on the child’s whereabouts. Szonert’s mother Kay, also in Malaysia currently confirmed that her daughter went to the police station along with her lawyer. She expected that she would be interviewed and released. However, the police detained Szonert on Monday. She will be under detention at least till Thursday.

Tajuddin Md Isa, Kuala Lumpur police chief, is trying to establish the whereabouts of the child and is concerned about his safety. A spokesman from Child Recovery Australia, Col Chapman, confirmed that the company had assisted Szonert to regain child custody, writes The Telegraph. He also said that Szonert was being held without charge and blamed Crick’s complaint for her detention.

“It has always been the intention of Ms Szonert to return to Australia with her son to resolve the matter through the proper processes. The entire matter has escalated because of the complaint from Crick,” Chapman added.

Mr. Arikrishnan Apparau, Kuala Lumpur-based senior investigations police officer asked Szonert late last week to be present at the police station for a statement.

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