Northern Territory Police have praised the "incredible actions" of two quick-thinking children who called police while witnessing a five-year-old boy allegedly being abducted in Darwin's northern suburbs.
Police allege that the boy was taken by his 37-year-old stepfather and a 56-year-old woman known to the child on Friday afternoon, from Witherden Street in Nakara.
The boy's mother attempted to prevent the alleged abduction while he was being placed in a vehicle but fell to the road. She was taken to hospital in a stable condition.
Police said a young boy and girl who witnessed the incident called authorities, passing on details of the alleged abductors' vehicle and allowing authorities to dispatch teams to track the vehicle.
NT Police said officers from the Sex Crimes Division, Strike Force Trident, Adelaide River, Batchelor and general duties responded to the incident.
The vehicle was later stopped on Cox Peninsula Road, south of Darwin.
The man and woman were arrested at the scene.
In a further statement on Sunday morning, NT Police said the pair had been charged with abduct child under 16 and recklessly endanger causing harm.
The pair remain in custody and are due to face court on Monday.
The boy was found safe and has been reunited with family, and his mother is expected to make a full recovery.
Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Russell said the "incredible actions" of the young boy and girl were commendable.
"Not only did they contact police as the abduction was unfolding, they also passed on the vehicles, details and registration," he said.
"This information was vital in allowing our officers to begin tracking the vehicle quickly, resulting in a positive outcome."
