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INTERPOL ISSUED A global alert today for a five-year-old boy with a brain tumour snatched from hospital by his family, as authorities said only hours remained to save his life.
Ashya King’s parents took him Thursday from hospital in the southern British city of Southampton without doctors’ consent and boarded a ferry to the French port of Cherbourg.
It is not yet known why Brett King, 51, and Naghemeh King, 45, took their son. While they are Jehovah’s Witnesses, the movement said there was no indication their decision was motivated by religious convictions.
“There are serious concerns for Ashya’s health, he is immobile and likely to be in a wheelchair or buggy, and cannot communicate verbally,” Interpol said in a statement.
The missing persons alert went out to all 190 Interpol member countries, dramatically stepping up the hunt for the missing child.
Detective Superintendent Dick Pearson from police in Hampshire, southern England, who is leading the investigation, said: “If we do not locate Ashya today there are serious concerns for his life.”
Another police spokesman, Chris Shead, told reporters the boy was being fed through a tube, adding: “The feeding system is battery operated and that battery will run out today.”
Time is running out for this little boy. We need to find him and we need to find him urgently.
In a statement, the hospital in Southampton said Ashya was allowed to leave the ward under his parents’ supervision and hospital staff raised the alarm when the length of his absence “became a cause of concern”.
“The information we have received from his medical team at Southampton General Hospital is that he must continue to be fed via a tube by someone with the relevant medical training,” Shead said.
“If he doesn’t receive urgent medical care, or the wrong treatment is given, his condition will become life-threatening.”
Plea to his parents
Cherbourg prosecutor Eric Bouillard told AFP authorities believed he was “kidnapped given the circumstances of his departure from hospital”.
“For the moment, what we most want to do is contact the family,” he added.
Jehovah’s Witnesses are known for refusing blood transfusions on religious grounds, but they are otherwise open to other medical procedures.
The religious movement confirmed Friday that the parents are members.
“However, we are not aware of the facts of the case nor the reasons for the family’s medical choices which are personal decisions,” it said in a statement.
“There is absolutely no indication, as far as we are aware, that their decision is in any way motivated by any religious convictions. Jehovah’s Witnesses are encouraged to seek the best medical treatment for themselves and their children.”
Appealing directly to the family, Shead said: “Our message to you is, ‘Please take Ashya to the nearest hospital immediately.’”
“We understand this must be an awful time for you but the most important thing is to get the proper medical care for Ashya. Please work with us to provide Ashya that care.”
French authorities told AFP the family arrived on Thursday night with their seven children and were driving a grey Hyundai with the number plate KP60 HWK.
The other six children are between three and 22 years old. A phone number — 0800 35 83 35 — has been set up for anyone with information.
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Remember his promise to abolish USC?!?!
You’ve been in power ages. You could have done this at any stage. Jog on
25% off plus 25% off the following year is NOT a 50% reduction. It’s 44% from the initial amount. Does anybody bother with maths anymore?
@john murray: To keep his promise it would require a further 34% decrease in Budget 2024 to follow up on the 25% from Budget 2023 in order for a 2-yr decrease of 50% . I am surprised that these people can manage an economy. Juniour cert kids can manage that calculation.
@john murray: True, but it seems that they did not promise a 25% decrease in the second year: rather that they would try to achieve a 50% decrease over the two years – ‘a further 25% reduction’ appears to be the journalist’s (wrong) interpretation.
@Brendan O’Brien: it does in fairness. Back to school for the writer in that case.
@John Murray: Yes.
@john murray: For bonus points, what annual percentage would lead to a 50% reduction over 2 years?
Anybody that thinks Varadkar even remotely cares about them or their children is quite deluded!
Thats great news for families, now do something about the inability to get kids into creche due to a lack of staff and services.
My boss has been told by all the places they looked at are booked out till at least next year so has to resort to paying through the nose for a private babysitter.
Watch the scramble by the usual suspects to get into the childcare business. Next year’s declarations of interest by TDs will make for informative reading..
What if me Granny looks after the kiddos.
Is the “cut” applicable” here ?
“We did it before, and we’ll do it again”
Aboy Leo.
My old nan used to say (not babysitter gran, my other nan) that self praise is no praise. So take heed Leo.
@UCD Trinity: Is that you Stephen Ireland, I thought you had 4 grannies?
I can’t understand why they won’t just give everybody a little by reducing it getting rid of USC & if you if have children they you can use the saving towards childcare if you wish! It’s really unfair to constantly reward those with children more than those who don’t have or want to have children.
Yawn more untruths
How fitting.
Governments should focus on putting money where it is needed most like Childcare, housing and Health. Please do not reduce income tax as the money is needed elsewhere. Also their should be a wealth tax.
Why do people think any government will abolish USC. For one thing it brings in 4 Billion per year, for another it is hard to avoid paying USC as it collected on all income including rental income
Everyone pays USC so it ensures everyone is making some contribution, no matter how small. And finally it is a combination of the PRSI and Health Levy
have your say