Amber Alert for 6-Year-Old Taken by Grandfather in Orange County Ends With Boy Found

Amber Alert for 6-Year-Old Taken by Grandfather in Orange County Ends With Boy Found

Boy Last Seen Sunday Afternoon in Orange

Joseph Garcia, 6, was last seen at about 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, near Collins Avenue and Lemon Street in the city of Orange, according to the California Highway Patrol. The abduction city listed in the alert was Westminster. He is described as Hispanic, 3 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 65 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was believed to be wearing a beige shirt, blue shorts and black shoes.

CHP Issues Statewide Alert for Westminster Police

The California Highway Patrol activated the Amber Alert on Monday morning, October 26, on behalf of the Westminster Police Department. Outlets including ABC7, 10News and MyValleyNews cited the CHP account that the boy was believed to have been taken by his grandfather. The public was asked to watch for the child, the suspect and the vehicle, and to call 911 with any sighting.

Grandfather, 47, Named as Suspect in Blue Pickup

The suspect was identified as 47-year-old Frank Ramirez, the boy's grandfather. Police said he was driving a blue 1995 GMC Sonoma pickup with California license plate 5B30127. Authorities released the full plate number along with the year, make and color of the truck, urging drivers and residents to check parked and moving vehicles without approaching the suspect themselves.

Alert Canceled Hours Later After Boy Is Located

Follow-up reporting by Hindustan Times and MyNewsLA said the Amber Alert was canceled only a few hours after it was issued Monday. Westminster police said the missing boy had been located. A NewsBeep summary of the KABC report likewise said the subject was located, with no additional details released, including whether Ramirez was also found.

Family Abduction Still Meets Alert Threshold

Although the suspect was a grandfather rather than a stranger, police treated the case as a child-abduction emergency. Coverage by Rolling Out and WIONews noted that the Monday-morning alert reached phones across Southern California. The rapid cancellation underscored how the system is designed to mobilize the public quickly even when the alleged abductor is a relative.

Police Withhold Details as Questions Remain

Police have not said where the boy was while he was missing between Sunday afternoon and Monday, why Ramirez allegedly took him, or whether charges are expected. ABC7 and 10News advised anyone with information to contact the Westminster Police Department or call 911. The case is a reminder that taking a child without custodial consent can trigger a criminal investigation and a statewide alert.