A statewide Amber Alert that was issued for a 2-year-old boy who was kidnapped in Monterey County Thursday morning has been canceled after the toddler was safely located, authorities said.
The California Highway Patrol issued the Amber Alert after Jacob Vargas was allegedly kidnapped in Soledad about 6:45 a.m. His first name was initially given as Jason before the information was updated.
The toddler was inside a car when it was stolen from his grandmother’s driveway, according to Monterey-area television station KSBW. The boy’s father, Jesus Vargas, left the vehicle running as he went back inside the house.
Both Jacob and the car were gone when he returned, according to the station.
He was later located and found safe, CHP tweeted shortly after 2:30 p.m. when the agency canceled the Amber Alert.
The Amber Alert was initially active in Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito, San Luis Obispo and Santa Clara counties. By 1:30 p.m., the alert was expanded to include the entire state.
No further details were released about when, where and how the boy was found.
