Okorogheye: Mother of missing boy says police told her ‘if you can’t find him how can we’

Evidence Joel, the mother of the missing London teenager Richard Okorogheye, has accused the Metropilitan police of initial negligence when she first reported her son’s disappearance.

The mother of one claimed police told her “if you can’t find your son, how do you expect police officers to find your son for you?”

The 19 year old went missing from his family home in Ladbroke Grove, London, at around 8.30pm on March 22.

His family reported him missing two days later. His mother has appealed for him to come home, saying ‘he’s the reason why I live’

Okorogheye, who suffers from sickle cell disease had been shielding during the pandemic due to his health condition, which requires him to have monthly blood transfusions.

Joel said her son was “struggling to cope” before he went missing, sparking fears he could have been struggling with depression.

The devastated mum believes her son, who had been carrying out his university studies remotely, may have been groomed online and could be currently held against his will.

“He’s everything to me… he’s the reason why I live,” Joel said on Sky News.

The mother-of-one also told the broadcaster she was heartbroken after a police officer allegedly asked her how she expected them to find her son when she as his mother could not.

“I was expecting assurance,” Joel said

“My son was missing and it broke my heart.”

The Met Police said relatives of missing people should be treated with ‘respect and dignity’ while reacting to Joel’s claim.

“The Metropolitan Police Service is committed to providing the best possible service to families of missing people, ensuring that they are supported by specialist officers and informed of investigative updates as soon as possible,” Met Police said.

“Family members should always be treated with respect and dignity by officers, and have confidence that officers will make every effort to investigate the circumstances of the disappearance with a matter of urgency.”

The police also noted that investigation into the disappearance of the teenager is ongoing and his family are being supported by a dedicated Family Liaison Officer while all available resources are being utilised in the search.