Mum leading desperate search for missing son, 14, last seen in Tesco car park

20 May 2026 • 9:46 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Mum leading desperate search for missing son, 14, last seen in Tesco car park

  • Taylor Charlton, 14, has been missing for 12 days since he was last seen on 8 May outside a Tesco Extra in Barnstaple, North Devon.
  • CCTV footage shows Taylor walking towards the River Taw, leading Devon and Cornwall Police to conduct extensive searches of the river and estuary using specialist teams, drones, and a helicopter.
  • His mother, Zoe Harvey, suffered cuts and collapsed during a desperate search through river reeds, with community members also rallying to assist in the efforts.
  • Shoes believed to belong to Taylor were found on the bank of the River Taw, 480 metres apart, as police continue to review CCTV and conduct house-to-house enquiries.
  • Authorities are appealing for anyone with information about Taylor, described as 5ft 8ins tall with dark brown hair, to contact them on 999, quoting reference 50260117084.

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