The son of former NRL player James Maloney, 14-year-old Kade Maloney, has been found safe after going missing during the early hours of Sunday morning. The frantic search began after Kade's mother, Jess Maloney, turned to social media, desperately asking the public for help to locate her son.
Kade was last seen around 10 PM on Saturday night in Green Point, New South Wales. According to Jess, he had caught a train earlier on Sunday morning, and the family believed he was heading toward the Penrith area. "Hi everyone, we are desperately looking for our son Kade," Jess wrote on Instagram shortly after Kade was reported missing. "He purchased a train ticket at Gosford train station this morning, at 1:51 AM. We believe he walked from Green Point to Gosford and is likely heading for the Penrith area."
With her husband James unable to be contacted, as Kade was using his phone, Jess’s message struck a chord with many on social media. She expressed her concern, stating, "Please, if you have seen him or heard from him, please get in touch with us. We are desperate to know he's OK, and if he doesn’t want us to know exactly where he is, that's OK; we just desperately want to know he’s safe. The police are helping us too, so please inform them also if you know anything. Please share also. Thank you.”
Responding to the family's plea, NSW Police soon got involved, appealing to the public for assistance. Officers from the Brisbane Water Police District commenced inquiries to locate Kade. A police statement noted concerns for his welfare, emphasizing his disappearance was out of character.
According to reports, Kade was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and dark blue North Queensland Cowboys shorts, matching his appearance as described by both family and police. The authorities also released details on Kade’s height and physical characteristics to aid searches: he is approximately 170 cm tall, with short light brown hair and blue eyes.
After several hours of searching, which involved the community and social media spreading the message, Jess posted the positive news on her Instagram. "Update: Kade has been found!!!" she announced around 1 AM Monday morning. She continued with heartfelt gratitude, saying, "He is now safe with our friends. Thank you to everyone who has helped to find him, offered support, and shared this post to get it out to so many people. Thank you also to the NSW Police, particularly Brisbane Water and Penrith. We are so grateful."
The news of Kade’s safe return was met with immense relief from concerned friends, family, and even members of the broader NRL community, who had been following the situation closely. Team members and fans shared Jess's posts, amplifying the appeal for information.
James Maloney, who has played for clubs such as the Melbourne Storm, Sydney Roosters, and Penrith Panthers, expressed his appreciation for the quick response from the community and police. His family's recent move from Townsville to Sydney, where Kade went missing, added to the emotional weight of the search.
James, who had recently transitioned from player to assistant coach with the North Queensland Cowboys, found this incident particularly troubling. After being terminated from his coaching role due to legal issues, the stakes of family safety became even more pronounced during this troubling time.
Reports confirmed the police’s relief after Kade was found, issuing their own statement: "Great news! A 14-year-old boy reported missing from Green Point has been located safe and well. Police thank the media and the community for their assistance." This collaborative effort underscored the importance of public engagement when it came to locating missing persons.
Kade's disappearance highlights both the concerns and fears any parent might have when their child goes missing, as well as the community's power to mobilize and support families during crises. After such anxiety, the Maloney family can now turn to recovery and healing, grateful for the response from the public and the quick thinking of local authorities.
This incident, thankfully concluding with Kade's return, reminds us of the bonds of community, especially during times of distress. The collaborative effort shown by the local and online communities offers hope for other families facing similar situations.
