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Anthony Arellanes, 4 years-old, is carried by Joe Garces (AMR Ambulance) to a waiting ambulance. Anthony went missing in the 3600 Block of Ojai Road Monday morning. He was found in the area and brought to the Sheriff’s staging area where he was reunited with his family. VC Sheriff Detective Taurino Almazon in the background helped in the search. Several media helicopters flew over the area giving live reports to the various television stations. (Photo by Debbie Johnson, Santa Paula Times) |
4 year-old boy found safe
October 03, 2012
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Ventura County Sheriff Deputies searched for hours Monday for a missing 4-year-old boy who had wandered away from his great-uncle’s ranch near Mupu Elementary School and was found more than five hours later resting in a dry creek bed.
According to VCSD Cpt. Don Aguilar, Anthony Arellanes was reported missing from the 3600 block of Ojai Road October 1 at 10:40 a.m. Anthony and his five siblings, residents of Palmdale, were visiting their great-uncle’s ranch located in the largely rural area.
The great-uncle reported that the boy was outside playing with other children when he started to chase a dog and then disappeared. A search by family members was launched that lasted about 20 minutes before the VCSD was notified.
Ventura County Sheriff Department K-9 teams, motorbike patrols and helicopters were dispatched to aid in the search for the boy, described as a light-skinned Hispanic with a shaved head. Search & Rescue units also tried to find the boy.
When Anthony wandered off he was wearing a purple and gold Lakers jersey with the #8, superstar Kobe Bryant’s team number, black shorts, and black shoes. At about 3 p.m. a VCSD helicopter pilot reported spying clothing near an oak tree in an undisclosed area and directed those searching on the ground to the location.
The area where Anthony went missing also contained vast acres of ranch land that was combed by searchers. Anthony went missing on the first day of a rare October heat wave when temperatures were forecast to break triple digits in the Ojai area and go as high as 99 degrees in Santa Paula.
Anthony was located at approximately 3:30 p.m., resting in dry creek bed, and was taken to the 3400 block of Ojai Road, where a VCSD Command Post had been established. An ambulance was called; and although Anthony was found to be alert and in good condition, he was transported to Santa Paula Hospital to be thoroughly checked.
Family members shouted their thanks to those that took part in the search as the ambulance pulled away with Anthony, who was accompanied by his mother. Said Aguilar, “The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank everyone involved with the search.“
