A mum has appeared in court charged with going on the run with her one-year-old son.
Michelle Kelly, 28, from Essex left home with son Jayden when he was supposed to be taken into care. She 'disappeared' on August 16, and was arrested in Preston on August 26.
The mum of three appeared at Basildon Magistrates' Court and pleaded not guilty to keeping a child in care away from lawful authority.
Kelly was granted unconditional bail and will next appear at Basildon Magistrates' Court again on November 1.
Speaking after the short hearing, she told the Echo News: "I will fight for my innocence and my son."