Jaime Zepeda is seen in an image provided by the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
The father of a 10-year-old boy abducted in Mission Viejo is believed to be in Mexico with his son, who told investigators he was "safe," authorities said Thursday.
Jaime Carmona Zepeda, 33, was supposed to return his son, Jaime Huerta, to his estranged wife at about 7 p.m. Wednesday per the conditions of a court order, but never showed up, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department stated in a news release.
Huerta was last seen leaving Linda Vista Elementary School in Mission Viejo at about 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Authorities later asked the public to be on the lookout for Zepeda, who they thought could be on his way to Mexico with Huerta. Just before 10 a.m. Thursday, the Sheriff's Department said on Twitter that the pair had been in contact with investigators.
The boy told authorities he was safe, and investigators think they are in fact now in Mexico.
Jaime Zepeda (left) is seen with his son, Jaime Huerta, in a photo provided by the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
Zepeda was described as a Hispanic man, about 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighing 160 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Investigators said Zepeda was likely traveling in either a gold-colored 2002 Ford F-150 with license plate No. 8U71467, or a 1997 Toyota Celica with license plate No. 6FGN527.
The boy was described as Hispanic, about 4 feet 10 inches tall, weighing about 130 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing black Adidas shorts, a gray sweater and black tennis shoes, with a backpack.
No further information about the contact with Zepeda was given.