Missing boy case ‘may be criminal act’
It remains possible that Mikaeel Kular left his family’s flat in Edinburgh of his own accord after being put to bed on Wednesday night, Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham, of Police Scotland, said.
“It is, however, entirely possible that Mikaeel has become subject of a criminal act and our investigation has been established as a twin track to ensure that eventuality is being, and will be, fully explored,” he said.
Mr Graham gave the update at the end of a day when hundreds of volunteers helped search the area.
“It is of grave concern that Mikaeel has been missing for nearly 48 hours,” he said.
Police had already announced that officers were investigating a “potential sighting” of a child matching Mikaeel’s description and wearing a cap.
Members of the public reported seeing a boy who was “small in build and alone” in West Pilton Gardens in Edinburgh, at around 8.30am yesterday. However, police said Mikaeel does not usually like wearing anything on his head and the child’s identity could not be confirmed.
Specialist teams were deployed to help search, investigation and community support work, Mr Graham said.
All immediate family members have been traced and spoken to by police.
“It has been extremely helpful to understand all the circumstances that have led up to his disappearance,” Mr Graham said.
Mikaeel’s mother put him to bed at around 9pm on Wednesday, only to find his room empty when she checked at about 7.15am the next day.
The little boy, who has two sisters and two brothers, usually sleeps in the same room as his twin sister but he was alone on Wednesday night.
His jacket and shoes were missing and police are looking into whether he might have left of his own accord.
He may also be wearing black gloves with multi-coloured fingers, dark navy blue jogging bottoms, a grey pyjamas top with an embroidered turquoise dinosaur on the chest and brown Clarks shoes.
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