Second amber alert in one week: how missing boy from The Hague (11) returned in good health | Inland

After an extensive investigation, the police will be ready to throw the message into the world at 7 p.m. on Saturday evening. The disappearance of an 11-year-old boy from The Hague is considered so urgent that there is only one means of investigation on the table.

The amber alert follows through all possible channels of the police, something that is still fresh on everyone in the Netherlands from earlier this week. The same emergency device was used in the search for the handicapped Hebe and her companion Sanne. The two do not survive and are eventually found on the roadside in Sanne’s car on Wednesday evening. The police believe it was a fatal accident.

The many search teams that were assembled for the duo in two days were impressive to see. Everyone in the Brabant area and beyond wanted to contribute to the search. When the police send out an amber alert on Tuesday evening, everyone realizes that this is a life-threatening situation for a child.

Text continues below the photo.

No one probably thought it possible that barely three days after the tragic news of their find, the highest means of investigation is once again being chosen. Earlier this week, a police spokesperson told this site that an amber alert is sent out on average twice a year at the national level.

Saturday evening it concerned an 11-year-old boy from The Hague. He had left school on his bike the day before, but never arrived home. Police say they did not receive the report until 12 noon on Saturday. It is still unclear what happened and was reported in the meantime.

Then all registers are pulled open. A search is underway in the neighborhood, with a police helicopter in the air and asked around for witnesses. It turns out not to be enough, because the detectives cannot find any leads.

It leads to the second amber alert in one week in the Netherlands. The search teams that were active in Brabant have barely recovered from the tragic outcome when the next report comes in.

The school from which the boy left Friday afternoon is also aware. Shortly after the amber alert, students and parents will be informed via an internal message. “A student from our school is missing,” it begins.

‘He just left school yesterday afternoon after school on his bicycle, but didn’t arrive home.’ The school reminds students and parents of the amber alert that has just been issued. “Let’s pray for him, his family, classmates and others involved.”

Concerned parents of students at the school take immediate action. In all group apps, the news is discussed and parents who want to help offer ideas for taking action. One of the entrances to the Zuiderpark is agreed as the starting point, after which different groups set out.

Meanwhile, the police are also investigating several locations. An alert passer-by tips the police when he finds a coat at the Uithof. The police arrive at the scene with the boy’s father, but the jacket does not appear to belong to the missing boy.

Text continues below the photo.

Then around 9.30 pm there is another valuable tip. The missing boy appears to have been seen in the afternoon in the Mall of the Netherlands, in Leidschendam. Officers rush to the huge shopping complex to request images.

While the police first give a hand (the boy has ‘possibly’ been seen), it becomes clear not much later that it concerns the wanted teenager. New camera images are being distributed and Leidschendam is now also circled in red by the police.

But a clear lead to finding the boy is still missing. Groups of volunteers are slowly being formed to go out: they can’t sleep without knowing where he is. So it is getting busier at the Zuiderpark and around the Mall of the Netherlands.

The groups are barely on the road or just after midnight the redeeming message follows. After an ‘intensive’ search, the missing boy has been found. He is found in good health in The Hague. There is great relief from The Hague, Leidschendam and on social media.

Normally twice a year, now two amber alerts in one week. People in The Hague and the surrounding area react all the more happily that the ultimate means of investigation now has a positive end. After a tragic week in the searches, the Netherlands needed the words ‘found in good health’ again.