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 .

No experience but just really hope he’s home soon. Mother of an autistic boy (much younger) and it really does make you panic. Praying he gets home safely and has seeked shelter with a friend x

Hope he’s home soon OP. Have you posted on local facebook groups? Someone might have seen him

I would second going out and checking every mcdonalds / 24 hour food place nearby.

I once 'ran away' / didnt want to go home (for similar reasons I was worried I was in really big trouble). First I went to the library and stayed there until it closed, then I went to sit in McDonalds until around 2 in the morning, when one of my friends mums came in (my mum had phoned them looking for me) and took me home.

Praying for you, OP. How incredibly worrying for you.

Thank you so much .. I’m not criticising the Police but it’s a lot ! Everyone’s reassure that statistically he’ll turn up so is actually reassuring me x

Thats the first place l’ll head after the suggestions ! Thank you x

Hand hold here too op, I hope he turns up soon x

Dad back yet?

Oh what a worry for you all! I really hope he turns up soon

Was in the same situation as you last week so I know how you feel, teen also didn’t have a phone at the time.

Just so you know, when the police visit they will want to look around your home and have a photo of him, they will also ask to take his toothbrush. They will also ask you if anything is missing.

Can you think of anywhere that is a safe space for him? Friends, grandparents that may have an outbuilding for him to get into?

Report it to the school in the morning as he may turn up there as normal (sticking to his routine).

Once found, the Police will want to do a return home interview with him to make sure he didn’t come to any harm once away.

I hope he is found soon.

Not yet . But l will at some point …as l’ve said previously a friend told me when she do so the “sightings” were many and some clearly unhelpful 😓

This happened to a school friend of one of mine and as night fell, the mum put a message on the year WhatsApp. It meant there were dozens of parents keeping an eye out and interrogating their kids but without the weirdos of social media. I know it can feel like an invasion of privacy but they were desperate.
As it happened the teen was found, the issues worked through and went on to uni but it was an awful worry at the time .
I hope he is soon found ❤️

Oh gosh, you must be beside yourself. I'm praying for you and your wee boy.

As others have said, it's overwhelmingly likely that he's fine, many teens do this, and the UK is generally very safe. Doesn't stop you from worrying of course!

He'll be home within the next couple of hours.

I can't imagine how worried you are. It's light now so he'll be awake, probably cold and hungry. If he knows how to get home, he'll come home or the police will pick him up on the way.

My autistic brother disappeared from home a number of times when he was a teenager. It was so scary for everyone – he used to walk and walk and walk.

Happy to say he’s turning 50 this year and is doing well.

I hope he’s home soon xxx

Gosh @MrsLighthousei really feel for you. I’m at work in London Bridge this morning and will definitely keep a look out. You must be frantic.

Thank you SO much ..everyone has held me in this fear overnight. The police already have a photo and just had a look in his room. They said they might take the phone but having spent all night examining everything l can find on it , there’s nothing alarming really. I’m glad your teen is safe and sound ❤️ my best case sensation is that he does turn up and the police do what they need to do. Thanks again for taking the time to respond x

So good to hear your brother is doing good ! This is our first time experiencing this ..l hope our last .

I'd imagine his brother has been asleep this whole time! Maybe don't kick someone when they're down....?

hi Op - just another thought. Does he have Snapchat on his phone? If so you could message all his friends on snap… saying he’s gone out and that you love him and he’s not in trouble and if anyone knows where he is to snap back and let you know.
teens often respond to snap more quickly (I find anyway) - you will see everyone he knows… he could be angry you’ve done this when he comes back - but the messages should disappear unless his friends save them.
also is there’s a school/ class or year group WhatsApp parent group you could message? again asking for information and saying he’s not in trouble and could they ask their kids if they have ideas where he could be?
Just suggestions and don’t want to go against police advice but I do think Snap is your friend if he has it.
again sending a big hug and handhold xx

“Kick someone when they’re down”

are you one for dramatic hyperbole in RL?

I hope he turns up safe and sound very soon, OP. Stay strong.

WhatsApp is a good call ! I feel like l can’t make a decision at the moment ! Thank you x

It was a just a suggestion using a common phrase, not meant to be taken literally, so you're the one guilty of dramatic hyperbole!