Debra Byrne Shares Heartfelt Update on Missing Grandson

Former child star Debra Byrne has thanked members of the public after her missing teenage grandson, Aaron, was found late on Monday.

The 19-year-old, who has special needs and requires medication four times a day, disappeared during a family outing in St Helena,  on Sunday afternoon.

Aaron resurfaced late on Monday after he presented himself at the Alfred Hospital in Prahran, 30 km from where he disappeared.

Byrne, 69, told Seven News that Aaron was exhausted and dehydrated, but was 'doing well'.

'Debra is incredibly happy and grateful,' said Seven News reporter Kirsty Maher, after interviewing the relieved grandmother off-camera.

'[And she] wanted to extend her thanks to everyone who looked for him on what has been a harrowing 28 hours of searching.'

The good news came after Byrne, who has raised Aaron since birth, made an emotional plea for help during an appearance on Seven News. 

'I worry that he's very vulnerable, you know, he could get in someone's car, but he's not a child, he's a man, but he's a child, you know,' she said. 

Shedding tears, she added, 'Oh God, I hated that he was in my care.'

Byrne and her grandson had joined family members to watch a hockey game at the Greensborough Hockey Centre in St Helena, 23 km from the Melbourne CBD, when he vanished.

Sharing details of his disappearance to Seven News, Byrne said that Aaron, who presents as an eight-year-old child, had become bored with the match.

He told his grandmother he was going to collect for recycling, and the last time she saw Aaron, around 1pm, he was carrying a full bag of cans.

She also said that her grandson, who had no money, no phone or food, had not taken his required medication since Sunday.

On Monday, the family learned that Aaron had checked into the Austin Hospital in Heidelberg.

But before Byrne could reach him, Aaron discharged himself around 9 pm.