POLICE have charged a woman over the alleged abduction of a young boy in the Riverina earleir this week.

A 12-year-old boy was last seen leaving a school in Culcairn about midday on Tuesday, and following an Amber Alert, he was located safe and well about 10pm on March 10 in Lake Macquarie.

A 36-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station where she was charged with take/detain person with intent to obtain advantage (DV).

She was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today.

"Police would like to thank the public and members of the media for their assistance in relation to this matter," police said in a statement.

EARLIER:

The NSW Police Force is seeking urgent public assistance to help locate a 12-year-old boy they say was abducted from Culcairn yesterday.

"[The boy], aged 12, was last seen leaving a school in Culcairn about midday yesterday (Tuesday 9 March 2021)," a police statement issued on Wednesday said.

"The boy is believed to be in the company of a 36-year-old woman ... who is known to frequent the Wagga Wagga area.

"The boy is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 150cm tall, with brown shaggy hair, and wearing a yellow button school uniform with navy shorts and sneakers. He has a birth mark on his right ear."

"Police are asking the public to be on alert and report any sightings of the boy or woman."

An update from police just before 1pm said further information has been received that indicates the woman has links to the Charlestown area in Newcastle.

Ring Triple Zero (000) to provide any information about this abduction.

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