The mother of Shannon Matthews has been charged by police in connection with the alleged abduction of her daughter.

Karen Matthews, 32, will appear before magistrates in Dewsbury charged with perverting the course of justice and child neglect.

Her nine-year-old daughter disappeared from Dewsbury and was discovered in the base of a bed at an address just one mile from her home after a 24-day police search.

Matthews was arrested on Sunday evening and was questioned by detectives at Wakefield police station. She is the latest family member to be arrested in connection with her daughter's disappearance.
Michael Donovan, of Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, was arrested on March 14, after Shannon was found in his flat following her disappearance on February 19.

He was later charged with Shannon's kidnap and false imprisonment and is remanded in custody awaiting trial at Leeds Crown Court on November 11.

The 39-year-old, formerly known as Paul Drake, is the uncle of Matthews' partner Craig Meehan. Meehan, 22, has been charged with 11 counts of possessing indecent images of children.

Last week, Meehan's sister, Amanda Hyett, 25, who lives next door to Shannon's mother in Moorside Road, Dewsbury Moor, and his mother, Alice Meehan, 49, were both arrested in connection with the alleged abduction.

Mrs Hyett was questioned on suspicion of assisting an offender and Mrs Meehan on suspicion of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The pair were released on bail pending further inquiries.

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