SHANNON MATTHEWS, the nine-year-old rescued in a police raid after being missing for three weeks, is being quizzed by specialist investigators about what had happened to her.

The task of piecing together the events of the 24 days since her disappearance began this afternoon. She spent last night in hospital, during which she was seen briefly by Karen Matthews, her mother.

Matthews said: “When I first saw Shannon again I was overwhelmed. I just couldn’t stop crying, knowing she’s back where she belongs and she’s safe. I never gave up hope and now she’ll be able to come home and sleep in her room again. We’ve got her new pink bedding which she’ll love."

A neighbour who had spoken to Matthews added that she had not been allowed to cuddle or communicate with her daughter but had been called in by police to identify her. She had seen Shannon through a two-way mirror and the girl was not aware her mother was there.

Shannon, who has been in police care since she was found, spent some of her morning playing quietly with a kitten before officers began “carefully” interviewing her.

A West Yorkshire police spokeswoman said the Dewsbury girl’s first night since being located was comfortable and settled.

“She is starting on the road to recovery following her ordeal,” the spokeswoman said. “She spent last night watching DVDs, has had breakfast this morning and has been playing with a kitten.”

On Friday, police broke into the home of Mick Donovan, 39, formerly known as Paul Drake, and found him and Shannon hidden under a divan bed.

Donovan, who is believed to be the uncle of Shannon’s stepfather, Craig Meehan, has been arrested on suspicion of the schoolgirl’s abduction last month. His upstairs flat was less than a mile from Shannon’s home.

The girl has been made the subject of an emergency police protection order, while social services investigate whether she can safely return home.

Her mother, Karen Matthews, and Meehan spent the first night after Shannon’s rescue in a hotel but have now returned home. Officers will stay with the couple as they continue interviewing them and extended family members.

“We are trying to make sure, while Shannon is with us, that we have the family within our care,” a police source said.

In Moorside Road, where Shannon lives, residents are cleaning up after a street party to celebrate Shannon being found.

They had let off fireworks, hung disco lights and a “welcome home” banner and joyfully torn up the “Find Shannon” posters that been distributed around the community.

Shannon was last seen on February 19. She was recorded by CCTV cameras at a local swimming pool, then returned to school and is believed to have been on her way home when she disappeared.

Edward McMillan-Scott, Conservative MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber, has asked police to meet him to explain why they had not checked family members more comprehensively.

“In more than three out of four cases like this a family member is involved so a thorough search would have included the suspect in this case,” he said.

McMillan-Scott called for a system like the "Amber Alert" used in the United States, France and Belgium, where appeals for information about missing children is immediately plastered across television, radio stations and motorway signs.

“There has to be a serious recognition that something must be done and we should follow the best practice of our neighbours,” he added.

Times Recommends

• Donor organ allowed child’s own heart to heal
• Michael Jackson: Not the final chapter
• Brüno toned down for 15 rating