Great Britain - Boy missing for six years returns
A British boy who has been missing for six years is back home. The 17-year-old returned to his grandmother in Oldham near Manchester on Saturday evening, according to Greater Manchester Police. He had gone on vacation to Spain in 2017 with his mother and grandfather, who were banned from contact, but never returned.
The trio lived with an itinerant spiritual community in the following years, mainly in the south of France, but also in Spain and Morocco. The teenager recently reported to a French police station after secretly leaving the group - a sect according to his custodial grandmother - and wandering around the area for several days.
The 17-year-old met his step-grandfather and British police officers in Toulouse and flew with them to the UK, police said. "This was undoubtedly a huge moment for him and his loved ones and we are glad they were able to see each other again after all this time," said Assistant Chief Constable Matt Boyle. Only after speaking to the boy calmly will the agency decide whether to open a criminal investigation, Boyle said.
The boy's grandmother expressed relief on Friday evening. "I spoke to him last night and it was so good to hear his voice and see him," she said after a video call. "I can't wait to be reunited with him."
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- The missing boy's journey took him through various countries in Southern Europe, including Spain, where he was initially vacationing with his mother and grandfather.
- The teenage boy, now living as part of an itinerant spiritual community, recently sought help from French authorities, highlighting the concerns about the welfare of children in such groups.
- In Great Britain, youth services and community organizations are urging for more resources and support to aid children who may have experienced similar emergencies, particularly those who have been separated from their families.
- The case of the British boy returning home after six years has sparked discussions in Paris about the need for stronger laws and protections for children in emergency situations, particularly those from Great Britain traveling to Southern Europe.
- Mothers and children's organizations in France and Great Britain have called for increased cooperation between law enforcement agencies and non-governmental organizations to ensure the safety and well-being of youth during emergencies and prevent future disappearances in the future.
Source: www.stern.de
