Missing Children Prompt Manhunt in Mapleton; Found Safe

Three children reported missing from a Murrieta neighborhood Wednesday evening were found after an hour-long manhunt, police said.

Murrieta police Sgt. Steve Dyer said three children, two of them siblings, were reported last seen at around 6 p.m. in the Mapleton neighborhood, between Antelope and Menifee roads in north Murrieta.

Their parents called police when it grew dark and their children weren't home, Dyer said.

The two separate cases prompted a manhunt that included bloodhounds, a sheriff's helicopter and several volunteers, Dyer said.

"They were 'critical missing' because of their ages," the sergeant said.

He said all were found within an hour of being reported.

One of the children, a boy, was found riding his bicycle in Wildomar.

The other two--sisters, one about 10 years old--were found nearby at 9 p.m. at Revival Christian Fellowship on Scott Road.

Dyer said several citizens chipped in to help search for the children.

"It was a good community effort. There are so many parks and ravines, and everyone was out looking with their flashlights."