California

Missing Teen With Autism Found Safe Hours After Amber Alert

Sheriff's officials said there is a person of interest in the case.

A missing teenager with autism has been found safe, hours after authorities issued an Amber Alert, sheriff's officials said.

A car was stolen Friday from a Jack in the Box parking lot in Paramount with 17-year-old Frankie Barboa still inside, authorities said.

Barboa was in the backseat of the car charging a device when the incident happened sometime before 3:30 a.m. at 6601 E. Alondra Blvd., sheriff's officials said. The vehicle had been parked with the key in the ignition.

The teen was with his adult sister, who is his caretaker, said Lt. Richard Harpham of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Lakewood Station. A Jack in the Box employee told NBC4 the sister works the graveyard shift at the restaurant.

She came back to find the vehicle gone, authorities said.

Authorities issued an Amber Alert that included a photo and description of the teen, along with a description and license number of the car.

Later Friday morning, the teen was found safe after he took a bus back to Paramount, said Lt. Charles Calderaro of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. He noted Barboa has a bus pass and has been using the bus for the last two months.

Calderaro said there is a person of interest in the case, described as a woman wearing a hooded sweatshirt.

Toni Guinyard contributed to this report.

Editor's Note: This post has been updated to correct Frankie's last name and the year model of the car.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
Contact Us