Welfare workers removed an Aboriginal baby from hospital immediately after she was born and took her out of the Northern Territory, her grandparents have told the child protection royal commission.
The witnesses, known as CS and CT, told the inquiry through a translator they were already caring for two granddaughters when the girl was born.
CS and CT said they were devastated to discover "white man" government workers had taken the baby without warning, explanation or interpreters.
"She was gone. We didn't know where they took her," they said.
"They took her away without permission. That's kidnapping."
This week the inquiry is hearing personal stories from vulnerable witnesses about the effects of children being removed from their culture, kin and tradition.
Their accounts will not be cross-examined, or treated as evidence.
CS and CT said they are allowed to visit the child, who is living interstate and hasn't returned to her indigenous community home for at least three years.
Social workers allegedly told them to prepare their house as the little girl would be allowed to come and live with them.
"So we clean it inside, outside and then we was waiting. One day they gonna bring her. But nothing happened," they said.
"(We were) crying, worrying, really sad."
Former politicians who were in charge of child welfare and department heads are also expected to front the commission on Thursday.
