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.