By Nick Griffiths Crime reporter

Published at 14:12, Friday, 28 December 2012

POLICE searching for a young mother who has been missing with her baby for more than a week have launched an online campaign to find her.

Footage: Christina was spotted on CCTV with her young son at Penrith rail station

People using Twitter are being asked to spread the word about the disappearance of Catalina Covaci, 15, and six-month-old Ricardo Alin Covaci as officers continue to appeal for information.

Police are posting appeals on the social media website with the hashtag #helpfindcatalina and are urging other people to pass on or “re-tweet” the messages, hoping someone online will come forward with information.

The force says Catalina is originally from Romania but has been living in Cumbria for about 18 months and is settled in Penrith.

She left her home in the town on Wednesday, December 19, saying she was taking her routine walk into the centre with her son. She has not been seen since.

Police say she has family and associates in Manchester, Oldham, Glasgow, Hull and London but could be anywhere in the UK.

Catalina was seen with her son, who was in a pushchair, at Penrith train station on the morning she went missing.

She travelled on a train from Penrith that was heading to Manchester Piccadilly. It arrived there at about 2.40pm that day.

Officers add it is possible Catalina and Ricardo may have travelled on to Oldham.

Police are urging anyone who was on the same train or who may have seen Catalina at Penrith or Manchester stations to come forward, adding they want to know if they were alone or with somebody else.

Detective Inspector Furzana Nazir said: “Police, along with her guardians, are growing increasingly worried. She is young, vulnerable and with her baby son, and is likely to have run out of money by now.

“We know that 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 that someone out there is helping them or knows where they are. It is very important that you contact us to let us know she is safe.”

Catalina has “very long” straight hair and is of a medium to heavy build. She has a dark complexion and often wears her hair in a bun.

DI Nazir added: “She is not in any trouble. We just need to make sure she is safe and well.”

Call police on 101.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk