Malakhi Chijiutomi-Ghosh: Missing 10-year-old who 'urgently needs medication' found in Hertfordshire

Police were becoming 'increasingly concerned' for Malakhi's safety

Malakhi Chijiutomi-Ghosh, a 10-year-old boy missing from his home in south London (Croydon MPS)

A missing 10-year-old boy who requires medication has been found and taken to hospital, after he disappeared from his home in south London.

Police were becoming "increasingly concerned" for the safety of Malakhi Chijiuomi-Ghosh, who suffers from a condition known as adrenal hyperplasia.

In its most severe form, adrenal hyperplasia can cause swelling of the adrenal glands and can be life-threatening.

Police feared earlier that Malakhi may have "fallen into a coma" in the hours that he went missing.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police has since confirmed to The Independent that Malakhi has been found by an off-duty police officer in Hertfordshire.

The child has been taken to hospital as a precaution, but has "effectively been found safe and well."

"We will now try to work out where he’s gone and how he’s got there," the spokesman said.

Before he was found, the last known sighting of him was at 7am, while a boy matching Malakhi's description was seen waiting at a bus stop in Streatham Common at 8am. It is possible he boarded a number 250 bus towards Brixton.

He did not have a phone, Oyster card or money with him.

Chief Superintendent Andy Tarrant, Borough Commander for Croydon, said before Malakhi was found: "We need the public's help to find Malakhi. His going missing is completely out of character and was unexpected.

"Malakhi was last seen on CCTV at 07:30 this morning in Thornton Heath High Street, junction with Grange Road. His family has told us that Malakhi loves trains, so based on where he was last seen it's possible that he was heading to the train station.

"Officers are carrying out searches in Grange Wood Park, tracing CCTV and speaking to people that live by to Malakhi's house.

"I would like to reach out to Malakhi and say - please get in touch with us, we are worried about you and want to make sure you are ok. You are not in trouble. Your mum, dad and brother are really worried about you and want you to come home and make sure you take your medicine."