Chinese teen celebrates birthday with his newfound family

A Chinese teenager yesterday celebrated his 17th birthday with his seven "brothers and sisters" and new Samoan mum.

Chunji Gao, also known as Gary, went missing from his father's home in suburban Botany on April 16 but was found this week living with the Kainano family, whom he told his name was Bob.

Nineteen-year-old Roy Kainano found the teenager sleeping on a bench in a park near his Otara home three weeks ago. Bob had been sleeping rough for three nights.

Unaware police were looking for him, Roy took Bob back to his house where he lives with several other family members.

"He was sleeping there so I felt sorry for him," he told Campbell Live last night. "He was tired and he was hungry so we went over, got some food for him ... brought him home.

"I wasn't really confident about bringing him home because he's not Samoan ... he's Chinese."

Roy said he thought his mother would probably wonder why he had brought Bob home.

But Falet'oa Kainano, already mum to seven boys and pregnant with another child, welcomed Bob.

Dressed in a bright orange floral shirt, surrounded by his new family, Bob sat with his head bowed as Mrs Kainano spoke about her "son".

"This is my beloved son Bob," she told Campbell Live.

"I'm very happy to tell him he's a part of my family because I love him ... the same as my sons."

Police had said they had growing fears for the teen's safety because he spoke limited English and took no clothing, possessions or his wallet.

The police were notified that Bob had been found but they were satisfied he had decided to stay with the Kainanos.

"I don't understand about Bob because he doesn't speak any English," Mrs Kainano told the TV3 programme.

"He's very happy to eat rice, I always cook rice for him. I want to cook taro but I think that Bob cannot eat that kind of Samoan food."

The family had cooked a cake for Bob and sang Happy Birthday to him in Samoan yesterday.

When Campbell Live asked Bob if he would like to stay with the Kainanos, he nodded.

Bob had attended Botany Downs Secondary College up until he went missing. Principal Mike Leach told the Herald that a school counsellor had visited the teenager yesterday.

"At the end of the day, he's 17 years old so he doesn't have to return to school, but we would like him back."

Police have said they will look into why the teen does not want to go home to his father.