Police Find Murrieta Boy Who Ran Off From Parents

Five Murrieta police units, a helicopter and volunteers were called out Thursday evening to search for a mentally challenged 12-year-old boy who went missing after an argument with his parents.

After nearly two hours of searching, the boy turned up at a neighbor's house, unharmed.

Fearing for the child's safety, during the search efforts units scoured open space and neighborhoods between Washington Avenue and Calle Del Oso Oro around Murrieta Creek, near where the boy likes to go running.

Police used loud speakers and told residents they were searching for a boy described as white, with a shaved head, approximately 80 pounds and wearing glasses. The only clothing description available was that he was last seen wearing white tennis shoes.

According to Murrieta police Sgt. Steve Dyer, the boy was described as having the mental capacity of a 7- to 8-year-old.

The child apparently got into an argument with his parents around 6:30 p.m. and ran off. He was described as an avid runner and his parents were hopeful he would return before nightfall, Dyer said.

Around 8 p.m., word came that the boy was at a neighbor's home near Murrieta Valley High School.

The boy's identity was not released by authorities, and it's unclear what triggered the argument or the running away.

"He was definitely trying to be away from his parents," Dyer said.