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 .

Thinking of you and your family, I can only imagine what you are going through until he's found. I hope he turns up soon.

💏

I hope he’s home now safe x

I hope your ds turns up really soon. My dd with an eating disorder has done this a couple of times when we’ve tried to get her to agree to eat. She didn’t turn off tracking the first time so after an hour I went and got her - she was very ill so an hour of rage walking would have took a toll, the second time she was in the middle of a field blasting music at about 10.30pm. Her friend found her.

The 3rd time we stopped her. I should add to this, she became wild and dh had to physically restrain her as she was trying to jump out of an upstairs window. She ended up calling to police on us. An officer came over 3/4 days later and there was no further action. They treated it like a parenting decision.

Hugs xx

Handhold from me too 🙏🤞 x

Oh God. All crossed that he is found safe and sound soon🙏🙏. Sending hugs and prayers.

I hope he’s home soon OP, you must be shattered x

Probably not helpful, but just in case it could be…I recently had to run away from somewhere unsafe and unfamiliar. It was night and dark, but I managed to creep into a primary school and spend the night in their disabled toilets. I felt and feel horrible about the trespass, but I remain grateful that I found somewhere safe and secure for the night. Will be sending prayers up for you and your family. X

Hope he's home now OP xxx

If he's come back OP will probably be too overwhelmed (and tired!) to update. Hopefully she may update later.

It's really scary isn't it. I have been fortunate that mine has come back reasonably quickly unharmed, though I have been out past midnight looking for them and have stood around in the street with them on occasions late at night.

Another autistic kid I know of goes for longer and further and has been brought back by the police.

Thinking of you OP ❤️

Sending you a handhold and hoping your boy strolls into your home as though nothing has happened today. Or goes to school.
I know you checked the cupboards and spaces within the block of flats but did you check under the beds @MrsLighthouse? My brother once hid under mine, it had sliding doors and we didn't realise there was enough space for a wee boy to get in there.
Thinking of you.

Hope he is home now OP xx

Hope he’s home now OP. He will probably be feeling really guilty for what he’s put you through and hopefully it’s been a bit of a scare for him and so something he won’t do again

I would be a bit careful saying ‘all sins are forgotten’ after he has done something ‘pretty awful’. Obviously right now when emotions are high might not be the best time to deal with it but it will
need to be dealt with at some point so he doesn’t learn that running away is an effective way to escape any problems or consequences.

really hope he’s back now and you’re both having a good sleep.

haven’t read the thread so sorry if this has already been said but i would check the train stations.

OP I really feel for you and I have been through similar 3 times, once with my daughter and twice with my son when they were teens ( both neurodivergent). They were the worst nights of my life and I’ll never forget the anguish I went through. They happily returned and I’m hoping you get a good resolution this morning to put you out of your agony xx

Wrong thread I think @YourCraftyAnt ?

Keeping my fingers crossed OP. Look after yourself too.

I have also been through this a few times. It’s horrific but she always came back safely.

I am crossing everything for you, I really am.

Praying.

Hope you find him soon ❤️

Sending strength OP.
i think the idea that he turns up at school this morning is a good one .
I'm visualising you giving him a big hug on his return .
Crazy but it's all I can do .
Please at least try and keep yourself hydrated

I can only imagine what you are going through and hope today brings the best news possible.

What a horrible night for you. Hoping very much he reappears this morning having got hungry and bored. If you can afford one, a GPS watch might be a good shout for the future?