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 .

What a relief for you all. Hope you can catch up on some sleep and have the opportunity to talk.

I'm so so glad he's home - I shed a tear with relief for you xx

So glad he’s home and wish you all the best going forward.

In US so I slept through all of this but so happy to scroll down to see your post that he is home!!

I'm so glad he is OK OP xx

So glad OP. And thank you for thinking of others too. You must be shattered. Best wishes.

We had a loooong period of keeping doors locked, medication in a safe, knives stored away up high, etc.

But happy to report that things have improved immeasurably. I hope it goes the same way for you and your boy 🩵

Glad that he safe and back with you

So so pleased he is home. I had to go to the shops but kept thinking about and was hoping to see the news he is home. Lots of hugs to you both x

I’m so pleased to hear he’s home safe ❤️

Thank you for taking the time to update the thread 💐

Wonderful news. I’m so pleased for you all.

Very glad to hear he's safe.

On the phone issue - if you think it important to retain the power of confiscating the phone you could keep a little dumb phone charged up and in credit with the important numbers in as contacts.

Then if you do have to take his own phone away you can hand it over so he still has a means of contact with you and his friends.

Thank goodness! What a relief.
Can you sew tracking tiles into his shoes?

So happy he is back home. ❤️ X

I am so glad that your son is home safely. 10 days ago, my son was missing, I was awake for hours, marking time and holding on, it is only now, that I feel able to cry about the fear that I felt at the time. Be gentle on yourself for a while.. the impact might filter through in pieces.

What an awful experience! I would take comfort in him not being too far from home, to me it suggests he couldn’t handle his emotions but didn’t want to flee.

Well done so pleased he’s home safely. As you say, lots to unpack, but for now enjoy him being home without further worry. I like the idea of WhatsApp out to the year group. That seems a really sensible idea for anyone else going through this sort of thing. Although obviously liaising with the police and taking their advice first.

So glad he's safely home, OP.

So relieved op!

Thank goodness! So pleased for you 💐💐

So very glad to see your update .

So very relieved and happy for you .

I’m so glad he’s home, op. I checked for an update as soon as I could. Sending hugs as you navigate the next bits 💐

Delighted he is back safe with you.

So glad he's OK i read your post this morning and followed in hope of good news ❤️ xx