Missing four-year-old foster boy found safe

A four-year-old boy who disappeared with a foster couple living in Skegness has been found, police said.

A search was sparked for the boy, named Kanan, and couple Darren and Marcia Langton, aged 40 and 46, after they failed to turn up to hand him over to social workers.

Kanan was in a temporary placement with the Langtons, living in the Grosvenor Road area of Skegness, Lincolnshire, and was supposed to be returned to children's services in Newham, east London, on Tuesday, but they did not arrive.

Lincolnshire Police said the four-year-old had since been found, along with Marcia Langton, although they were still looking for Darren Langton.

A spokesman said: "I am pleased to announce Kanan has been found and is currently in police protection awaiting return to Newham social services.

"Marcia Langton is currently helping police with the investigation and officers still want to trace Darren Langton."

It emerged that the couple were facing court action over Kanan's return to local authorities.

Newham Council said "serious concerns" prompted it to take court action to return the four-year-old to their care, leading to the couple's disappearance.

A spokeswoman said: "Kanan was placed with the couple 16 months ago.
They were being considered as suitable adopters.

"In recent weeks, we were made aware of serious concerns which led us to take court action to return him to our care. This action by the council led to the couple's disappearance and we alerted the police straight away."