Autistic Costa Mesa boy, 11, found safe in Santa Ana over 10 hours after being reported missing
An 11-year-old boy with autism who was reported missing from his Costa Mesa home Monday morning was reunited with his family more than 10 hours later after being found unharmed.
Diego Garcia’s parents reported him missing shortly before 7 a.m. Monday after they noticed he was not in their Adams Avenue apartment. Costa Mesa police searched for the boy and sought the public’s help in locating him.
Diego was found at 5:40 p.m. at the intersection of Fairview Road and Edinger Avenue in Santa Ana, about four miles from his home. A passerby who had heard Diego was missing saw him and called Santa Ana police.
Santa Ana authorities contacted Costa Mesa police detectives, who confirmed the boy was Diego, said Costa Mesa police Sgt. Patrick Wessel.
Diego was tired but uninjured, Wessel said.
Police said evidence suggests that Diego wandered away from home. No foul play is suspected, Wessel said.
Twitter: @HannahFryTCN
