Police in Great Britain are urgently searching for a 5-year-old boy suffering from a brain tumor, who was snatched from a Southampton hospital Thursday night by his parents.

According to the Independent, Ashya King, 5, who underwent major brain surgery last week, is unable to speak and can only eat by using a battery-operated tube – due to run out today.

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Saying “Time is running out for this little boy. We need to find him and we need to find him urgently,” Assistant Chief Constable Chris Shead explained that, if the boy “doesn’t receive urgent medical care or the wrong treatment is given, his condition will become life threatening”.

According to authorities, Ashya was removed from the hospital Thursday night by his parents, Brett King, 51, and Naghemeh King, 45, and is believed to be in France, having been taken by ferry from Portsmouth to Cherborg along with his six siblings.

While the boy’s parents are confirmed Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Office of Public Information for Jehovah’s Witnesses said in a statement: “There is absolutely no indication, as far as we are aware, that their decision is in any way motivated by any religious convictions.”

They added, “Jehovah’s Witnesses are encouraged to seek the best medical treatment for themselves and their children.”

Most Jehovah’s Witnesses accept medical treatment providing that it doesn’t conflict with Biblical principles, such as blood transfusions because the Bible prohibits taking in blood.

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British police have enlisted the help of French authorities to finding the boy before it is too late. According to police the family is believed to be traveling in a grey colored Hyundai I800 Style CRDI, license number KP60 HWK.

[Image of Ashya King and his mother Naghemeh via Facebook]