UPDATE: Police said the family has been located and the child is safe and well
Fears are growing for the safety of a sick nine-year-old girl who is in need of urgent medical care after going missing from hospital.
Detectives are searching for the child who vanished from St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, shortly after arriving to see medics on Sunday evening.
Scotland Yard said Mashael Aldosari attended the hospital accompanied by her parents and a younger brother at around 5.40pm after she fell ill.
But the family left two hours later before the girl, who police believe is diabetic, could receive treatment.
Police said the girl had a high blood sugar count, meaning she could fall into a coma if she is not treated.
The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: “The girl was initially seen by medical staff and her parents informed them that their child’s name was Mashael Aldosari.
“Detectives are unsure if this is the child’s real name as the family provided a false address to staff.
“Police know very little about the family as the adults did not provide their names to staff at the hospital. All four left the hospital at 7.44pm.
“At this early stage detectives believe that the family could be from Kuwait.
“The family are believed to have told medical staff that they had travelled to the UK in order for their son to receive hospital treatment. Inquiries have established that this.. may not be the case.
“It is not known when the family entered the country and inquires continue with other agencies.
“Given the circumstances, detectives are urgently seeking the trace the young girl in order for her to receive medical treatment.”
Mashael is described as being less than 5ft and has long, straight black hair. She was last seen wearing a grey top, leggings and light coloured shoes.
The man is described as having a heavy build and has short black hair receding at the front.
The woman was wearing a black burka.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police.