The discovery of blood inside a caravan and the occupants missing had police very worried on Saturday night.
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Police appealed for public help to find Shepparton woman Kelly Anne Smith, 47, and her six and four-year-old grandchildren, who were last seen leaving Richardsons Bend campground in Barnawartha about 6pm.
Wodonga Sergeant Anthony Chamberlain said a “family incident” had occurred and the woman was in an erratic state when she took the children into bushland.
“There were concerns for the welfare of all involved,” he said.
Police and SES conducted a line search of the area in darkness and finally found them hiding in a hollow about 12.30am.
The children were returned to their waiting parents.
“They’re quite alright, a little bit shaken up understandably,” Sergeant Chamberlain said.
The grandmother was taken to hospital – police had not laid charges, but the investigation was continuing.