A WOMAN has been arrested following the disappearance of a teenage boy in foster care.

Rhys Millerchip, 14, was last seen leaving Seaford town centre on the morning of December 30 and has not been spotted since.

In the early hours of yesterday, Warwickshire Police arrested a 33-year-old woman from Nuneaton on suspicion of conspiracy to abduct a child in care.

She remained in custody yesterday afternoon – but Rhys has still not been located.

Sussex Police previously said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

However, officers are still searching for the teenager who they have described as vulnerable because of his age.

Concerned officers now believe Rhys may be in Warwickshire and, in particular, the Nuneaton area.

He also has family and friends in the Sidcup and Welling areas of southeast London, where enquiries are also being made.

The search for the missing teenager has extended online, where Rhys has a prominent profile on the website missingpeople.org.uk.

A personal message to Rhys on the website reads: “Rhys, we are here for you whenever you are ready.

“We can listen, talk you through what help you need, pass a message for you and help you to be safe.”

Rhys is white, 5ft 7in, of slim build, with dark brown hair and hazel eyes.

He was last seen wearing blue jeans, black Nike trainers and a khaki green zip-up jacket.

Anyone who has seen him or who knows where he might be is asked to call Sussex Police on 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk, quoting serial 1116 of December 30.