Child has been missing since 9pm - frantic !

[MrsLighthouse]

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 .

How scary for you. I hope he turns up soon safe and sound.

I do hope by now he has been found....x

Thinking of you op you just be devastated. I have nothing else to add others haven't said but hopefully he'll be along when his stomach is in need of food.

you just be in absolute despair 😩

Have you check the train stations near you? Some kids will sit on the bus going round and round on a loop.

Sending hope OP 💛

I hope he comes homes soon! He hopefully will when he starts to get hungry.

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 ❤️

That is amazing news OP. Thank you for sharing them with us.

Brilliant news, @MrsLighthouse!

Oh that's brilliant OP. I've been thinking about you all morning. Hope you manage to get through to him (and manage to refrain from throttling him). Well done mamma.

Fantastic!! 🙂

Best news ever op. 💐💐💐

So happy to hear your update. I've an autistic daughter who would run off after an argument and it's terrifying especially as I am bed bound so can't go out looking for her. So I definitely understand that feeling when you don't know what is happening to them!

Oh, thank goodness! I came across your post and for some reason it really touched me. You were so worried - quite rightly - and the support from others was wonderful to see. It's nice to know that there are so many kind people in the world. I'm so glad he's home and came to no harm. Have a lovely, relaxing day!

Speak to the police about the Herbert Protocol, it's not just for those with dementia and could help if it happens again (which I can say from experience is quite likely!)
https://www.essex.police.uk/notices/af/herbert-protocol/

Crying with pure relief you have your boy back.
Struggled to sleep waiting for your updates, absolutely any parents worst nightmare.

From my work hat, I would say to not push any verbal communication, let him have as much space as needed. Reassurance you will always support and love him. Referral to CAMHS and meeting with school to work out when it will be safe to increase demands again ie attending. Priority is for low demand, decompression and jsut reassurance. Practically, make sure doors are locked and meds away etc until it is clearer what his thinking was.

Thank goodness he's home safe.

Very happy to read your update OP, sending you many wishes for a calm and peaceful day now.

Thank you for taking the time to update us given that your mind must be elsewhere. I have been hanging onto my phone for updates and hoping for this news as I am sure many others have been. Plus there is a lesson in here about tracking children (off to see if the vet will chip DC).

Thanks for the update. So glad he’s home safe. I bet he’s glad too.

I'm so relieved for you and so happy he's safe and warm at home.

Thank the Lord 🙏🏻

This really is amazing news! I am so glad to hear that he is safe and home x

What a relief. So glad to hear it, OP.

Oh what a relief!!