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Trainee reporter finds missing child after seeing picture in story

KEnt RachelA missing child who sparked a major police search was found by a trainee reporter after she recognised him from a story written by her colleague.

Sittingbourne News and KentOnline journalist Rachel O’Donoghue, pictured left, spotted the 13-year-old boy while walking near her office in Sheerness town centre.

Rachel recognised the boy from a story posted on the KM Group’s KentOnline website and phoned chief reporter Hayley Robinson to report the sighting.

The child’s disappearance had been the site’s lead story on Wednesday morning after he vanished from his home in Sittingbourne, with police and volunteers searching throughout last Tuesday night to try and find him.

Hayley ran out of the office while still on the phone to Rachel, who explained what he was wearing and the direction he was heading in.

When Hayley caught up with him she asked him to confirm his name, which he did.

She then phoned 101 to tell police he had been found and returned to the office to update the online story.

Said Hayley: “He was covered in dried mud and he was standing with a woman. She said she knew his mum and that she was about to call her to let her know he was safe.

“I told him he’d got everyone worried and that there was a missing person appeal out for him. He didn’t seem concerned though.

“I asked him where he’d been, as he was covered in mud, and if he was alright. He said he was fine and that he’d been staying at a ‘friend’s house’.”

KM Group editorial director Ian Carter said: “It showed the basics of the job are as important as ever.

“Don’t spend all your time behind a desk, and keep your eyes open.”