The Turlock Police Department's search for a missing 8-year-old boy ended when he turned up safe and sound at his home Thursday evening.
The boy, Carlos Perez, did not return home from school Thursday afternoon. Carlos got off the school bus near Rose Avenue, as usual, but did not arrive home when he was expected.
News of the missing child had Turlockers fearing the worst. But Carlos arrived home unharmed – and unaware he was missed – roughly one hour after Turlock police announced they were searching for him.
“My little brother is home safe and sound. That’s all that matters, thank you everyone for the prayers,” posted Carlos's sister on Facebook under the name “Muneca Marie.”
Turlock Police Officer Nicole Rempher, who was at Carlos's house when he arrived home, explained that the boy had decided to visit a friend's house – without telling his family.
“He always goes straight home when getting off the bus, but today he went to a friend's house for a couple of hours,” Rempher said. “A lot of resources were used to locate him … but none of that matters when the child is home safe and sound. Hug your little ones and remind them to call home if their plans change.”
The search for Carlos involved numerous police officers, detectives, firefighters, and volunteers.
The Turlock community stepped up to help as well, spreading word of the missing boy via social media. TurlockCityNews.com's story on Carlos went viral, and has garnered more than 15,900 “Likes” on the initial story: Turlock Police Searching for Missing 8-year-old Boy.
Thank god he’s safe.