Distressed boy, 7, found in pyjamas

Feb 28 2008 by Laura Wright, South Wales Echo

A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD boy was found wandering the streets in his pyjamas after walking out an open front door early today.

The child went missing from his home early this morning and was spotted crying on a pavement in Llanrumney, Cardiff.

He was found by parks worker Dave Gomer and colleague Gareth Cartwright, who took the boy into the nearby Eastern Leisure Centre, pictured Llanrumney Avenue.

Mr Cartwright, 43, of Aberfan, Merthyr Tydfil, said: “He was very upset, he was crying his eyes out. They couldn’t get much out of him, he couldn’t say where he had come from.

“He was wearing short pyjamas and had his shoes on the wrong feet. He was freezing cold so we took him into the leisure centre and someone put a coat round him to warm him up.

“The police were searching around for him and found him in the leisure centre so he’s all well and safe now.

“I can’t see how someone can miss their child like that so early in the morning, it’s a bit strange.

“He could have been abducted or anything, it doesn’t bear thinking about in this present day.”

The boy was then taken home to his parents.

South Wales Police Inspector Andy Walbeoff said: “We had a call saying a young lad was seen on the pavement outside the Eastern Leisure Centre at 6.58am this morning.

“Then the parents who lived round the corner rang in to say their front door was open and they thought their boy had gone missing.

“He had gone for a wander but was reunited with his parents at 7.05am and was returned safe and well.”