Portugal police return child to parents after ‘untrue’ allegations

Published on 21/09/2012 03:06

A BRITISH couple who had their young daughter taken into care in Portugal have been reunited with their child.

Stephen Street and Colette McPartland, who both work as teachers in Portugal, were accused of being drunk and failing to look after their daughter Scarlett.

Portuguese police said the couple had allowed their two-year-old daughter to wander off by herself next to a busy road in Carcavelos.

But they said the accusations were lies and have now been given their daughter back.

Ms McPartland, from Teesside, said: “Those ten days were the hardest in my life and it’s such a relief to have her back.

“I had drunk two glasses of wine as I’m four months pregnant and the doctor said it was no risk to my baby.

“We don’t know why the police got involved. There were lots of children running around and she was never more than a few feet away from us.

“Everything that has been reported is untrue and we are very shocked and very hurt by the things that have been said. ”

The couple, who have lived in Portugal for five years, are considering leaving the country.