UPDATE: Kidnapped Boy Found in Idyllwild, Father Arrested

UPDATE 4 p.m. March 23:

A 5-year-old boy whose alleged abduction by his father triggered a statewide Amber alert was found safe today with the suspect, who was arrested without incident after a witness provided his location to police.

Anthony Stanley Smith-Dixon, 25, is suspected of snatching his son on Thursday from a San Jacinto childcare facility in the 1900 block of Tennyson Street, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Around 2:40 this afternoon, an Idyllwild resident spotted the gold- colored four-door Saturn sedan Smith-Dixon was driving -- the car's description had been broadcast throughout the state -- in the city limits and contacted the California Highway Patrol, sheriff's Deputy Albert Martinez said.

"Based on the witness's statement, the CHP located the car and conducted a traffic stop," Martinez said. "The suspect was taken into custody, and the child was safe."

The boy was expected to be returned to his mother, who has sole custody rights. The woman, who was not identified, also has a restraining order against the 6-foot-3 Smith-Dixon because of concerns about her safety, according to sheriff's officials.

Smith-Dixon, who has an outstanding felony warrant for assault with a deadly weapon, was expected to be booked on suspicion of kidnapping.

—City News Service

ORIGINAL POST:

Law enforcement authorities Friday asked Riverside County residents for their help finding a 5-year-old boy allegedly kidnapped by his father.

San Jacinto police Thursday went to a baby sitter’s home in the 1900 block of Tennyson Street about 10:35 p.m. to investigate the alleged abduction of Domenic Smith, according to Riverside County sheriff’s officials.

The suspect is the boy’s father, Anthony Smith-Dixon, who does not have any custody rights to the child.

The boy’s mother also had obtained a restraining order against the suspect for fear of him, according to officials.

Domenic is black, about 3 feet 6 and 50 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

The boy was last seen wearing a brown shirt -- with an unknown logo on the front -- and blue pants.

The suspect is believed to be driving a gold-colored Saturn four-door sedan from the early 2000 decade. The vehicle is believed to be missing the driver’s side door panel because of a recent traffic crash.

Smith-Dixon is black, about 6 feet 3 and 185 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

He was last seen wearing a thick black-and-white jacket and dark pants.  

Smith-Dixon is now suspected of kidnapping and has an active felony warrant for assault with a deadly weapon and should be considered armed and dangerous.

Officials ask that residents not approach the suspect if he is spotted but to immediately call 911 and advise the dispatcher of the suspect's location.

Anyone with information about this incident was asked to contact San Jacinto police, 951-654-2702.