Student in UAE goes missing after school takes away his phone, found later

Umm Al Quwain - He hid inside a mosque near his school.

A Grade 8 student, who went missing after his school seized his mobile phone during classes, was located by the police within hours.

Col Obaid Ali bin Fadhl, deputy director of police stations at the Umm Al Quwain Police, said 14-year-old Saeed Ahmad Salem was reported missing late on Monday.

Investigations showed that the student was reportedly using his cell phone at the school despite repetitive warnings, he added.

"He was even using it during classes and the school administration had to seize the gadget and alert his parents about that."

The student, scared of his parents' punishment, decided not to go home and managed to sneak out of the school, Col Fadhl said.

"The student did not know where to go, but later decided to go to a mosque close to the school and hide there until 7pm."

He then headed to a nearby shop where one of his friends, who was accompanying his mother, saw him.

"The family immediately informed the police that they found the missing student," he said.

Col Fadhl urged all parents to take care of their children and pay more attention to them.

"Children of these days are quite different from those in the past, and should be dealt with more patience, prudence and full consideration of their age and the nature of the changes they go through."

In July this year, the Sharjah Police found Mohammed Perwez, the Indian boy who went missing for two weeks.

Ali Gafel, a parent, said schools should think of a better way to handle phone issue.

Ahmad Al Malij, another parent, said what the school did was right.

"It is the parents' fault. They should not let their son take the mobile phone to school."  

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Umm Al Quwain