Spring Valley Child Found After Intense Search

A 12-year-old Spring Valley boy who was reported missing Monday morning after riding his bike to school was located safely, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

The La Presa Middle School student was located in Lemon Grove at about 6:40 p.m.

The boy, who had been missing since 11 a.m., came to a home on Mt. Vernon Street in Lemon Grove and rang the doorbell. The woman who lived there called police and asked who was at the door. He told the woman he had been kidnapped and she called 911.

The child then told 911 dispatchers where he was located, sheriff’s spokesperson Jan Caldwell said.

"He looked scared, he looked like he had been crying and was panicked," the woman, who did not want to be identified, told NBC 7 San Diego.

The woman also said the boy had leaves and grass in his hair and on his shirt.

The boy and his family reunited at the Spring Valley command center. He was then taken to the Lemon Grove Sheriff's Station for questioning. His father said he was "relieved."

The middle school student left his home in the 8700 block of Ildica Street at about 8:15 a.m. Monday, but never arrived to the school. His father reported him missing at 11 a.m., according to the San Diego Sheriff's Department.

On Monday afternoon, authorities launched an urgent search for the boy, who had no history of running away and had never missed a day of school, the department stated.

Monday evening, authorities and volunteers fanned across the area from his home and the school while the department's helicopter searched from above.

β€œWe’re working under the unfortunate premise that Patrick has been abducted,” Caldwell said before he was located.

He was riding a blue BMX bicycle at the time of his disappearance. Authorities confirmed that the bicycle was not on campus.

The Sheriff's Search and Rescue volunteers and the K-9 Unit were involved in the search.

Homicide detectives also responded to the search.

A command post was established at the Spring Valley Library and volunteers were handing out pictures of the child.

Classmates who spoke to NBC 7 said they had just returned to school after a 2-week break. The classmates described the missing boy as a role-model student, and said they were shocked that he wasn't in school on Monday.

Contact Us