Shelley Pratt remains in care of social services (From Croydon Guardian)

Shelley Pratt remains in care of Croydon social services

5:50pm Thursday 7th February 2013 in News By Andrew Bloss

The family of Shelley Pratt have said they "cannot wait to give her a big hug and a kiss," after it emerged she is still in the care of social services.

The 14-year-old was missing for almost 14 weeks before being found on Tuesday.

She is currently in the care of social services.

Her family have not been able to see her yet.

Mrs Pratt said: "I am trying to get my head round it really. I am not sure of what is happening at the moment.".

"Shelley needs to recuperate basically as she has been on the streets for so long. She needs to rest and chill out a bit.

"I think she needs time there to get her head straight after what has happened. The main thing is that she is safe and she is eating properly and that is the good thing about it."

Shelley disappeared on Friday, November 9, nearly 14 weeks ago. She was found in Croydon town centre on Tuesday afternoon.

Speaking on Tuesday after hearing Shelley had been found, Tony Pratt said he was over the moon that she was safe.

He said: "It has been a long time she has been missing but it is all good now.

"We can start getting our lives back on track now and sort things out. It is a big weight off my shoulders. I was getting stressed and having chest pains. Now she is back the pains have gone.

"I cannot wait to give her a big hug and a kiss. Her brothers and sisters will be delighted. It is amazing."

Her mum described her delight when she got in touch with the family on Thursday last week to say she was still alive.

The 14-year-old phoned her mum Lisa.

Mrs Pratt said: "I answered the phone and she spoke to me. She said ‘Mum I am ok. I love you’ then the phone went dead."

"I knew her voice straight away when I picked up the phone. I just keep thinking where she is. I just want her back now."