Mum issues emotional appeal to find missing son
Ben Smith's mother, Rachel Corkhill says she has not heard from her son since 3 April
- Published
The mother of a teenage boy who has been missing for 12 days has said she is "heartbroken" and "just wants to know he is safe".
Ben Smith, 15, from Fazakerley, Liverpool was last seen in Liverpool city centre on 3 April.
His mum Rachel Corkhill said she had last heard from her son via a text message, adding: "He just put that he loves me, and he's sorry for everything."
Merseyside Police said there had been no confirmed sightings of Ben and urged anyone with information to get in touch.
'Not quite himself'
Ms Corkhill told a Merseyside Police news conference: "The longer it goes on, it's more the not knowing that he's OK and that he is safe or unsafe somewhere."
She said after the text message on 3 April Ben's mobile phone had been switched off.
The teenager is described as white, with short to medium length black hair and was wearing a black hooded jacket, black tracksuit pants and black trainers at the time of his disappearance.
He is 5ft 10in (1.78), of slim build and has links to the Maghull, Walton, Fazakerley and Croxteth areas of Liverpool.
Ben Smith has been described as having an "immense love" for football
Ms Corkhill said she "absolutely adores" Ben who has an "immense love" for football and his friends.
She said her son was "not quite himself" when she last saw him on 3 April and explained that in the past he had disappeared briefly before returning home.
"He didn't want me to be upset and he said he felt like he was ruining my life and he needs to take responsibility for himself," she added.
It is not known if he is still within the Merseyside area but officers said they were pursuing all lines of inquiries.
Det Ch Insp Tony Roberts has urged Ben to get in touch and let his family know he is safe and also appealed to anyone who has seen him to come forward.
He said: "Family and friends are completely, understandably becoming more concerned about his wellbeing.
"They are desperate to get him home and we are doing everything we can as a force in order to support them during this extremely difficult and worrying time."