POLICE have launched a social media campaign to find a teenage mum and her baby who may be in Hull after disappearing from their home.
Catalina Covaci, 15, and her six-month-old son Ricardo Alin were last seen on Wednesday, December 19, in Penrith, Cumbria.
Catalina is originally from Romania but has been living in Cumbria for 18 months.
She left home last Wednesday morning, telling her guardians she was taking her routine walk into Penrith town centre with her son, but she has not been seen since.
Officers say she has family and associates in Hull as well as Manchester, Glasgow, Oldham and London.
Police have now launched #helpfindcatalina on Twitter in the hope that the online community will spread the word and come forward with information, and are urging residents in Hull to help with the search.
Detective Inspector Furzana Nazir is co-ordinating the search for Catalina.
Det Insp Nazir said: "Police, along with her guardians, are growing increasingly worried for Catalina and her son Ricardo who have been away from home for over a week.
"She has not made contact with them over Christmas. She is young, vulnerable and with her baby son and is likely to have run out of money by now.
"They shouldn't be alone at Christmas and we need the public to help find them."
Catalina has long, straight hair and is of medium-heavy build, with a dark complexion and often wears her hair in a bun.
Officers believe she travelled on a train from Penrith, bound for Manchester Piccadilly on December 19, but have no idea where she went from there.
Det Insp Nazir said: "We know Catalina has very strong links with the Romanian and travelling communities, so she could have gone anywhere in the country to meet with associates or family members.
"It is likely someone out there is helping them or knows where they are, and it is very important that they contact us to let us know she is safe.
"Police forces across the UK have been notified.
"She is not in any trouble. We just need to make sure she is safe and well. Please, if you know anything, get in touch with us immediately."
Visit www.cumbria.police.uk or on social networking accounts www.twitter.com/cumbriapolice or www.facebook.com/cumbria police for information.
Call 101 if you have seen Catalina.
