Missing 14-year-old son of former NRL star James Maloney found after desperate search

The son of former NRL star James Maloney has been found after a frantic search on Sunday night.

The son of retired NRL star James Maloney has been found. Picture. Phil Hillyard

The son of former NRL star James Maloney has been found after a frantic search on Sunday night.

Kade Maloney, 14, went missing from the NSW Central Coast in the early hours of Sunday morning, sparking a massive search involving NSW Police and members of the community.

It was believed Kade was headed to the Penrith area, but he didn’t arrive, prompting his parents, James and Jess Maloney, to launch a plea on social media for the public to be on the lookout for the teenager.

Jess confirmed overnight that their son was okay.

“He is now safe with our friends,” Jess wrote.

“Thank you to everyone who has helped to find him, offered support and shared this post to get it out to as many people as possible.”

NSW Police also thanked the community for their help.

“Great news! A 14-year-old boy reported missing from Green Point has been located safe and well,” a police statement read.

“Police thank the media and the community for their assistance.”

Hours earlier though, there was great concern for Kade who had been last seen at 10pm on Saturday in Green Point on the Central Coast before catching a train.

It sparked a public cry for help and a police search.

“He purchased a train ticket at Gosford at 1.51am,” Jess wrote on Sunday night before he was found.

“We believe he walked from Green Point to Gosford and is likely headed for the Penrith area.

“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.”

James and Jess Maloney had been travelling from Townsville with their four children this month as they relocated to Sydney following the former NSW Origin half’s stint as an assistant coach with the North Queensland Cowboys.

James Maloney helped the Roosters to the 2013 premiership. Picture: AAP Image/Paul Miller

James Maloney played for the former Melbourne Storm, New Zealand Warriors, Sydney Roosters, Cronulla Sharks and Penrith Panthers during an 11-year NRL career.

He played in the 2011 grand final with the Warriors and won premierships with the Roosters (2013) and Sharks (2016).

Following his final season with the Panthers in 2019, Maloney and his family moved to France where he spent two seasons playing for Catalans in the UK Super League, and then Lezignan in the second division.

His family moved back to Australia at the end of 2023 before he was offered an assistant coaching job under Todd Payten the Cowboys.

However, he was terminated in September after being charged with low-range drink driving.

Originally published as Missing 14-year-old son of former NRL star James Maloney found after desperate search