with a machete and abducted his own daughter.

Scores of officers took part in the day-long operation to hunt down the man who snatched his two-year-old girl from her grandmother's house in Somerset.

The toddler was found unharmed more than five hours later, after the father dropped her at his own grandmother's house in Paget.

But Police confirmed last night that the father, a 30-year-old from Paget, was still in hiding.

The drama began when the suspect -- armed with a machete -- burst into the baby's grandmother's house at around 11 a.m.

He is alleged to have threatened the terrified woman and snatched his daughter away, driving her off on a motorcycle.

The grandmother immediately alerted Police.

And officers from three units -- Child and Juvenile Services, Uniform and Western CID -- began coordinating the search for the father and child.

Police spokeswoman Evelyn James Barnett said: "Officers immediately began an operation to look for this little girl who had apparently been abducted or taken from her home violently by the father.

"Police have called at the father's house and all the places he is known to frequent but have so far been unable to find him.

"But thankfully the child has been recovered and she was not harmed.'' She said the father was persuaded to release the girl by his own grandmother, who told him Police had called to look for him.

The father then fled -- and the woman returned the youngster to her own mother's house on Spring Benny Road in Sandys at around 4 p.m.

Police took the child to hospital for a routine examination but she had no external injuries and doctors gave her a clean bill of health.

But officers, who began piecing together an abduction inquiry, were still hunting for the father last night.

Mrs. James Barnett added: "We're very grateful that the child was returned safely and was not harmed in any way.

"But Police are still looking for her father and the investigation is continuing.

"The child was taken to hospital to be examined but it was just a routine check and she does not appear to have been harmed in any way.'' Police are appealing for anyone with information to call Crimestoppers on 1-800-623-8477.