MISSING SPRING VALLEY BOY FOUND SAFE

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Boy, 12, spent day in park, sparked intensive search

Story by Nadin Abbott; photos by Tom Abbott

October 23, 2012 (Spring Valley)--At 6:40 p.m. last night, Sherriff’s Department officials confirmed that 12-year-old William Patrick Gear Jr. of Spring Valley was found “safe” at Berry City Park on Mt Vernon Street in Lemon Grove.

“They found him, they found him, thank you Jesus!” The boy’s grandmother exclaimed. As relatives rushed to a waiting vehicle William Gear told ECM that they were expecting the worst, and they were “very relieved.” View a video of the reunion.

Gear’s father told ECM news partner 10 News reports that his son had gone to the park and hid when he heard a helicopter that was searching for him.  Eleven hours after the straight-A student disappeared on the way to La Presa Middle School in Spring Valley, three miles away, he emerged from hiding and apparently made up a story about being abducted.  

Officials have not disclosed why the boy went missing. But Channel 7 News reported that Gear ran to a woman’s house, said he was had been kidnapped, and that she called 911.

His father, William Gear, reported the boy missing to the Sheriff’s Department at around 11 a.m. yesterday morning after learning he did not arrive at La Presa Middle School in Spring Valley.  A full search and rescue effort was launched including search dogs and a helicopter.

Last night, when William Gear and his grandmother came out to get to their car to go to the police station, they were elated that the boy was found and he was ok.

“He said, `I’m sorry, cried,’” the boy’s father told 10 News. “Big lesson learned.”

ECM learned from a neighbor that the family is divorced and the father has custody over the three children. According to Janet Escalante, the next door neighbor, she first was in disbelief “that this is happening.” This is a very quiet neighborhood, and they have lived in that street for three years. The Gears moved in about five months ago.

The missing boy sparked concern in his Spring Valley neighborhood. Before the boy was found, Escalante told ECM that “I was hoping the kid skipped school, but it’s too late for just that.”

Other neighbors, Elfin, Socorro and their 10-year-old daughter Esmeralda, talked to us in the street. Esmeralda told ECM that “they got warnings at school about not going with strangers.” This is the same school that Gear attends.

ECM later learned that a warning was sent to parents after sexual predator Matthew Hedge was released in the area. Hedge has since relocated to downtown San Diego. A warning was also issued to Alpine parents just days earlier regarding a man attempting to lure a middle school girl into his vehicle.

The incidents highlight the need to teach children never to get in a vehicle with a stranger—and how to react if a stranger approaches them.

According to this article from Time Magazine, these are guidelines that you should provide to your children:

Kids have the right to say no. If a grown-up comes to a child asking for help looking for a puppy or for directions, the child should get a trusted adult to help instead.

Kids don't have to be polite. We put a huge premium on making sure our kids are polite to a fault, especially to adults, and that translates into: "do what the man says."

Communicate. If a child feels frightened, he or she should be encouraged to talk with a trusted person: mom, dad, counselor or teacher. The message for parents? Listen to your kids--and ask your children how they're doing.

Don’t let young children be out alone.  Always know where your children are and who is with them.


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