MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Police cancelled a City Watch alert for a missing 12-year-old boy Wednesday after they said they found him in the 4000 block of East Mallory Road.
Freddie White was last seen at school around 2 p.m. Tuesday, according to his mother. Police said they found him Wednesday around 1 p.m. near an abandoned house.
WREG spoke with Ashley Carlisle while police looked for her son Wednesday. She said her son got in trouble at Sherwood Middle School on Monday, though police said she told them he got in trouble at home.
The boy ran away before he got on the bus to come home Tuesday.
“I’m upset, but worried. I hope nothing happens to him. I told him it’s so quick for someone to grab him,” Carlisle said.
Carlisle said her son had run away at least five times.
“It’s a tough problem to combat because they’re teenagers and they want to be grown. Sometimes they’re not quite grown yet,” a Sherwood Middle grandparent said.
Parents have counseling resources available, but experts say people don’t use them enough.
Shelby County has five universal parenting places where families can go for counseling, especially for child behavioral issues.
A representative for the Department of Children’s Services said the agency is not investigating this case.
To learn more about family therapy resources click here.