LOS ANGELES - A search for a missing 3-year-old boy ended Tuesday morning after police located the child safely in Gardena.
The discovery followed an Amber Alert that spanned five Southern California counties after the boy was abducted in South Los Angeles late Monday night.
What we know:
Messiah Evans was taken at around 10:20 p.m. Monday near 66th Street and Normandie Avenue.
Investigators say the suspect, Joshua Pendleton, is the ex-boyfriend of the child's mother and not the biological father.
Following a physical altercation with the mother, Pendleton allegedly fled in her white 2006 Saturn VUE with the toddler still inside.
On Tuesday morning, Gardena police informed the California Highway Patrol that the child had been found safe.
What we don't know:
While the child has been located, officials have not released details on how he was found.
It remains unclear if Pendleton has been taken into custody or if he is still on the run.
The current location of the white Saturn VUE (California license plate 5SHE918) has not been confirmed by the LAPD.
What's next:
Messiah is expected to be reunited with his family while the investigation into Pendleton's whereabouts continues.
What you can do:
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Pendleton or the white 2006 Saturn VUE is encouraged to contact the LAPD.
The Source: This report is based on official alerts and statements provided by the California Highway Patrol and the Los Angeles Police Department.