Mum praises Penlan community after little Jenson Lorey goes missing

A LITTLE boy who sparked a massive search when he disappeared was later found safe and well — fast asleep in the family living room.

Jenson Lorey’s relieved parents have praised the way the Penlan community responded when their five-year-old son went missing.

Around a dozen police officers, supplemented by dogs and the force helicopter, were joined by relatives, neighbours and even complete strangers scouring the streets looking for him.

It was Jenson’s six-year-old sister Sienna who brought the nightmare to an end when she lifted a bean bag in the living room and found him sleeping there.

The children live with mum Samantha Thomas, known as Sammy, and dad Andrew Lorey in Heol Gwyrosydd.

“I was at the gym with my friend and I came home to this real scene,” said Sammy, aged 28.

“Andrew had gone into the kitchen and when he came out, Jenson was gone. By the time I got home he had been missing for 20 minutes.

Screaming

“I started screaming and running around the street.

“I thought the worst had happened.

“We had 12 police officers out looking for him, police dogs, and the helicopter. They searched the attic, they searched everywhere.

“People were fantastic.

“Everyone who knew me was out looking but even people who didn’t know me were looking too.

“The support we had was phenomenal. It’s that kind of community, when you need help everyone rallies around.

Agonising

“The bus drivers were using their radios, and the taxi drivers were all looking.

“It was just incredible.

“I couldn’t have asked for more support from everyone.”

Jenson disappeared at around 8.15pm on Monday. Sammy said he wasn’t found until about 9.30pm to 9.45pm.

“I was out of my mind by then,” she said.

“My daughter moved the bean bag and there he was, fast asleep underneath it. I was screaming with happiness.

“I had to take the day off work yesterday. My nerves have gone. I suffer from panic attacks anyway but I’m still shaking.”

Sammy also kept her son, who is in full-time reception at YGG Tirdeunaw, home for the day. “I just didn’t want to let him go,” she explained. “I can’t stop cwtching him.”

Where exactly Jenson was during that agonising time before he was found remains something of a mystery.

“He cannot have been under the bean bag all that time because it was moved several times,” said Sammy.

“He cannot have gone outside either because he was as warm as toast.

“He must have moved about, but we have no idea where.

“All we know is he was sleeping soundly when we found him.

“We were all panicking and he was completely unaware of what was going on. Not even the sound of the sirens could wake him up.”

Inspector Phil Thomas said: “It just goes to show how strong the community spirit can be when faced with situations like this.

“We had a lot of resources in and used the bus depot and leisure centre and everybody else in the area to help out.

“I’m just glad the little boy was found safe and well.

“That was the main thing.”