The desperate search for a boy with Down syndrome and autism has intensified and the child has now been missing in Sydney’s west for two days.
Hussein Al Mansoory, aged 12, was last seen walking from Auburn Memorial Park to the intersection of Station Road and Rawson Street, Auburn, at around 10.30am on Saturday.
A member of the public spotted the boy near Norval Street in Auburn at around 9pm on Saturday, but he was gone when police arrived.
CCTV confirmed he had not boarded the train at nearby Auburn station, while SES volunteers are now knocking on doors and searching backyards in the hope that Hussein will turn up.
The search will resume on Monday morning, with police and Hussein’s family very concerned because he is non-verbal.
Hussein Al Mansoory, aged 12, was last seen walking from Auburn Memorial Park to the intersection of Station Road and Rawson Street, Auburn, at around 10.30am on Saturday.
NSW Police Inspector Mark Wakeham said there was nothing to suggest there was anything sinister to do with the 12-year-old’s disappearance.
On Sunday he appealed to local residents to search their gardens for the boy.
“We are hopeful that he is still in that area,” he told reporters.
‘The family is very distraught.
‘We think he’s quite scared. If approached, he may run away from community members.”
SES members went door to door on Sunday afternoon in the hope of locating Hussein.
If anyone sees the boy, they are asked to call the police.
A helicopter is also being used in the search, while there are also concerns about scorching temperatures this weekend.
Auburn NSW SES unit commander Jamie Newman said his volunteers had been trained in land search techniques.
‘The weather is a concern, but we hope he is on the ground somewhere and trying to stay out of the heat. So our volunteers will search every nook and cranny where he can get in,” he said.
Hussein is described as being from the Middle East, of slim build, approximately 140cm tall, with short black hair, and last seen wearing a white T-shirt.
Anyone with information on Hussein’s whereabouts is urged to contact Auburn Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.