A young boy who went missing on Wednesday night was “one of the lucky ones”, Orana Local Area Command (LAC) Inspector Dan Skelly has said.
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Taig Thomas, 12, was found safe and well with a relative in Dubbo about 10am on Thursday.
Inspector Skelly said Taig’s mother was understandably relieved.
“It was just a coincidence that he’s gone missing on or about Missing Children’s Day. He was one of the lucky ones that were found safe and well,” he said.
Police began searching for Taig on Wednesday after it was reported he had run off from school. About 6pm they received a call from a woman who had spoken to Taig in Alam Street, West Dubbo.
But when police arrived just ten minutes later Taig was gone again.
Police made inquiries and patrolled the area, but to no avail. On Thursday morning they sought help on social media; the post was shared more than 200 times in one hour.
When his school reopened on Thursday morning police gained access to a relative’s address, where Taig was found safe and well.
Inspector Skelly offered his thanks to the community, who had shared Taig’s story on social media.
He said it served as a timely reminder – today is International Missing Children’s Day – that it was every adult’s responsibility to look out for the children in the community.
“For every missing child there’s a grieving mum, dad, brother or sister who just want to see them safe and well,” Inspector said.
“If you see a child, especially a young child that seems to look lost or a bit bewildered … approach the child and say ‘are you okay? Do you need a hand?’ … Or ring the police straight away.”
