(This story has been updated with additional information.)
An investigation into a missing 6-year-old boy who was picked up by a stranger from an elementary school in Adelanto on Thursday came to a peaceful conclusion when it was determined a grandfather had accidentally picked up the wrong child.
The incident was first to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deparment at 2:31 p.m. a Donald F. Bradach Elementary School, just six minutes after release time at 2:25 p.m., Adelanto Elementary School District and sheriff’s officials said.
Deputies received a report that a student had left the campus at 15550 Bellflower Street with an “unknown male,” according sheriff’s department spokeswoman Gloria Orejel.
“During the investigation, deputies learned an elderly man was asked by family to pick up his grandson from school,” she said.
The student approached the elderly man, mistaking him for his grandfather, according to district spokeswoman Sandra Torres.
The man took the boy home, believing him to be his grandson, Orejel said.
A parent of the child was nearby and immediately realized her son was not at the expected pickup location, Torres said. The parent notifies school staff and the sheriff’s department was called as officials worked to identify the man.
After arriving home and beginning to prepare a mean, the man realized his error “when the child began to ask questions,” Orejel said.
“The man became suspicious of the child and then realized he picked up the wrong child,” she said. “The man immediately took the child back to the school where deputies were on scene.”
The boy was reunited with his family, while “the correct child was released to the man,” Orejel said.
A report into the incident was taken, but no crime was suspected.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Grandfather accidentally picks up wrong child from elementary school in Adelanto
Reporting by Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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