The father of a five-month-old baby at the centre of a public custody dispute is heading for the High Court in Auckland after returning with his daughter to his parents' home in Waitakere.
The Family Court earlier ruled the baby's mother could take her back to Wales, where custody would be determined. But on Tuesday a High Court judge issued a stay on the custody warrant.
Now Stephen Jelicich is seeking an urgent appeal date.
Baby Caitlin's mother Diane Jelicich is still in Wales and refused to comment on the latest turn of events, but indicated she was pursuing legal options of her own in Wales.
She says she's aiming to return to New Zealand as soon as possible.
Stephen Jelicich returned with Caitlin on Tuesday evening - nine days after failing to take her back to her mother. Jelicich took his baby daughter into hiding after losing a court custody battle with his Welsh wife.
On Monday Jelicich said he would hand Caitlin over to the authorities on Tuesday, but the day turned out to be a waiting game for everyone involved.
No comment
had been made by either Jelicich or his lawyer throughout the
day.
Inspector Jan Hope said there was no deadline after "Mr Jelicich
gave us a show of good faith".
A short time later, Jelicich's lawyer announced he had obtained a stay of warrant, and that the police were no longer able to take baby Caitlin from her father.
Following this, Jelicich's father Paul made a statement outside the family house.
"Stevie's home, baby's home, all's good as gold," said Paul Jelicich.
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