A runaway teen was not quite welcomed home with open arms when he was found yesterday, cradled in the embrace of a Buddha statue at a pagoda in Russei Keo district.

The 14-year-old had disappeared for three days when his mother appealed to police for his return.

The dejected youth was located at the statue and vowed he had no wish to return to his mother’s constant insults, but police eventually coaxed the teen into going home and cleaning up his room.

ANN