Missing nine-year-old boy found ‘safe and well’

A nine-year-old Sydney boy, who had been missing since yesterday afternoon, has been found “safe and well”.  

Mario Caruso, who has a mild intellectual disability, had last been seen at his home on Cross Street, Balgowlah on the Northern Beaches about 4.30pm.

He was located at the Burnt Bridge Creek Deviation, a stretch of freeway road in Balgowlah, just before midday today.

His distressed family had reported him missing to police when he could not be found.

“He was last seen by his family playing in the backyard and then he left,” Acting Inspector Alan Le Surf earlier told reporters.

Officers on the ground, PolAir and the Mounted Unit were deployed along with SES volunteers to search for the boy who was believed to be on foot.

Searchers targeted stormwater drains behind the home address as well as nearby parkland that Mario commonly frequented.

“At this stage, there's nothing suspicious about it. Kids run away ... and we're just trying to find him,” Act. Insp. Le Surf said.

The young boy has since been located and is being reunited with his family.