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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Child has been missing since 9pm - frantic !

449 replies

MrsLighthouse · 08/05/2025 04:03

I don’t even know if anyone is awake to read this but my neurodivergent 13 yr old son left the house quietly at 9pm and hasn’t come home . I caught him out about something pretty awful he had done, and he denied it and left rather than deal with it / talk about it , he left.

We live in central London and he’s gone without keys , phone or money . After 2 hours driving around looking for him, l reported to the police and they have him now listed as a vulnerable missing person but l’m going out of my mind .

Has any other parent experienced this ? My head is going to a thousand awful scenarios …it’s 4 am now and so cold .

OP posts:
Original poster

MrsLighthouse · 08/05/2025 11:05

Pinned

He’s home ! I spotted him near where we live and scooped him up ! He is grubby and silent and his face is red and rashy but he says he slept on a bench in a park so that probably explains it . Thank god …and thank you to every single person who took the time to support me through last night and today . I was worried about posting ( as sometimes threads can go toxic very quickly ) but it’s been such a kind helpful experience . You are all amazing ! Obviously there’s a lot to unpick around the circumstances and the police have just left after a “person found” interview …they were very gentle - l need now to speak to social services and the school safeguarding team……but ….he’s home . Thank you again for all the love .. and here’s to all of us who love ( and struggle ) through family life . Just for today - it’s ended ok xxx ❤️

HappiestSleeping · 08/05/2025 04:12

I haven't been in your position, but wanted to offer you a bit of solidarity. I hope you find him.

pearldiamond · 08/05/2025 04:16

I’m awake. I’m so sorry you’re in this situation. Your anxiety must be off the scale 😔. In my experience with ND dc going missing, the police have been fantastic at finding them.

He’ll be fine OP. You’ll have him back soon 🤗

Scooby2024 · 08/05/2025 04:25

I'm awake OP. I'm so sorry your are going though this. Hopefully the police will find him soon. Sending a handhold OP keep us updated.

Waterweight · 08/05/2025 04:26

❤️ were in a similar boat & praying for you's both

CalicoPusscat · 08/05/2025 04:32

Would he go to a friend or relative's house?

Really hope he's back home safe soon 🌺

Mylegishangingoff · 08/05/2025 04:36

I'm awake too. I'm sorry you are going this, you must be frantic with worry. I'm sure the police are very experienced in this and will have him home safe to you soon ❤️

Happyinarcon · 08/05/2025 04:41

I guess he doesn’t have a phone. My teen had one and I set it up to share her location with me.

TeenToTwenties · 08/05/2025 04:41

Hand hold.
Hopefully he is just walking around, and in the morning if not earlier someone will come to his aid.

Dairymilkisminging · 08/05/2025 04:45

Could he be at a friend's house? My dd did this admittedly not in London. Handhold for you

Neurodiversitydoctor · 08/05/2025 04:47

I am up hopefully he will be found soon. You must be out of your mind.

Izzy24 · 08/05/2025 04:47

Hope he’s found soon OP. I’m so sorry you’re all going through this.

CalicoPusscat · 08/05/2025 04:49

I guess you're not going to be able to sleep now @MrsLighthouse?

Is your other half at home? Have a cup of tea (if you drink it) whilst you're waiting. Your brain must be scrambled.

dmboot1 · 08/05/2025 04:49

Hi OP, when my ND daughter ran off into the night after a difficult evening barefoot, my friend who is a Social Worker who works specifically with young people said this is typical behaviour that she had seen a lot of over the years. Daughter came back but doesn't mean to say I wasn't incredibly worried at the time. Hope he's back soon x

Original poster
MrsLighthouse · 08/05/2025 04:55

pearldiamond · 08/05/2025 04:16

I’m awake. I’m so sorry you’re in this situation. Your anxiety must be off the scale 😔. In my experience with ND dc going missing, the police have been fantastic at finding them.

He’ll be fine OP. You’ll have him back soon 🤗

I needed to hear this ..thank you x

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsLighthouse · 08/05/2025 04:58

CalicoPusscat · 08/05/2025 04:32

Would he go to a friend or relative's house?

Really hope he's back home safe soon 🌺

He’s not a kid that can make a “plan” ( ADHD ) and only has a few friends ..no nearby relatives . I’m guessing he’s plotted up somewhere outside ..hopefully inside … but this area isn’t the best .😢

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsLighthouse · 08/05/2025 05:00

Happyinarcon · 08/05/2025 04:41

I guess he doesn’t have a phone. My teen had one and I set it up to share her location with me.

I’m kicking myself as l took his ( tracked ) phone off him and told him to go to bed.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsLighthouse · 08/05/2025 05:01

TeenToTwenties · 08/05/2025 04:41

Hand hold.
Hopefully he is just walking around, and in the morning if not earlier someone will come to his aid.

I’m trying to reassure myself that he must emerge at some point but it’s hard to feel reasonable when you’re so scared. Thanks for the hand hold x

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsLighthouse · 08/05/2025 05:02

Dairymilkisminging · 08/05/2025 04:45

Could he be at a friend's house? My dd did this admittedly not in London. Handhold for you

He’s not at any friend we know 😢

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsLighthouse · 08/05/2025 05:04

dmboot1 · 08/05/2025 04:49

Hi OP, when my ND daughter ran off into the night after a difficult evening barefoot, my friend who is a Social Worker who works specifically with young people said this is typical behaviour that she had seen a lot of over the years. Daughter came back but doesn't mean to say I wasn't incredibly worried at the time. Hope he's back soon x

Thank you for saying that ..l know lots of teenagers do this but it’s unusual for him and l’m just scared we are going to be the exception and he won’t turn up ! I’m sure statistics are on my side so thank you for that .

OP posts:
Blackkittenfluff · 08/05/2025 05:04

He will show up after a night of being cold and hungry.

Original poster
MrsLighthouse · 08/05/2025 05:06

CalicoPusscat · 08/05/2025 04:49

I guess you're not going to be able to sleep now @MrsLighthouse?

Is your other half at home? Have a cup of tea (if you drink it) whilst you're waiting. Your brain must be scrambled.

His dad is on his way over ..night job in a different town .. l feel like at least when he’s here one of us can wait in and the other can drive around looking for him .

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsLighthouse · 08/05/2025 05:07

Blackkittenfluff · 08/05/2025 05:04

He will show up after a night of being cold and hungry.

Praying that’s the case 🙏 thank you

OP posts:
ByChirpyCoralUser · 08/05/2025 05:08

Been in your situation. I know it's scary, and I was super scared at the time (and imagining all sorts of stuff having happened to them), but our child ended up being fine - they wandered around for hours relatively safely and then got a friend to sneak them into their house. Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Discoprincess6 · 08/05/2025 05:11

Oh I hope he’s home soon!

IHateRain76 · 08/05/2025 05:11

Hoping he turns up soon @MrsLighthouse