Missing Mission Viejo Boy Believed To Be Safe In Mexico

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MISSION VIEJO (CBSLA.com) — Authorities made contact Thursday with the father of a missing Mission Viejo boy who was taken out of school and was never returned to his mother Wednesday.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office reported that investigators spoke to 10-year-old Jaime Huerta and his father, 33-year-old Jaime Zepeda, Thursday morning. Huerta told them he is safe, the sheriff's office said.

The two are believed to be in Mexico, OCSD said. It was not immediately clear if investigators spoke to the two by phone.

#OCSDPIO CHILD CUSTODY UPDATE (1 of 2): Investigators have contacted the father, Jaime Zepeda, and son, Jaime Huerta.
— OC Sheriff, CA (@OCSheriff) April 27, 2017

Zepeda picked up his son at about 1 p.m. Wednesday from Linda Vista Elementary School at 25222 Pericia Dr. and was supposed to drop the boy off at his mother's home at 7 p.m.

However, he never showed, Orange County Sheriff's Lt. Wayne Rehnelt said. The boy's mother told investigators Wednesday that she believed Zepeda was taking the boy to Mexico, where he has ties, Rehnelt said.

Jaime Huerta is described as a Hispanic boy, 4-foot-1, 130 pounds. He was last seen wearing black Adidas shorts, a gray sweater, black tennis shoes and carrying a blue, gray and black backpack.

Zepeda is Hispanic, 5-foot-3 and 160 pounds. He is believed to be driving a gold 2002 Ford F-150 with California license plate 8U71467, or a 1997 Toyota Celica with California plate 6FGN527.

Anyone with information about Jaime Huerta's whereabouts can call the sheriff's department at 714-647-7000.