Canadian boy Valor Howell, allegedly abducted in 2004, found living in Arizona

(CBS/KPHO/AP) CHANDLER, Ariz. - Missing 10-year-old Valor Heath Howell, who was allegedly abducted in Canada seven years ago, was found alive  in a Chandler, Arizona laundromat with his mother, 51-year-old Jaime Howell, according to police.

Workers at the laundromat called police on Sunday to report a woman who was creating a ruckus, yelling at customers and slamming the lids of washing machines, police say, reports CBS affiliate KPHO.

According to one employee, a customer gave the boy a dollar to buy candy and when Jaime Howell saw the treat she threw it on the ground and made him put it in the trash.

When police arrived they questioned Howell and found she was connected to a missing child report and the boy with her was the victim, reports KPHO.

Valor Howell was first reported missing on December 1, 2004, in Grand Forks, British Columbia. Authorities had reported he may be in the company of his mother. 

"The boy's father has been working with the police and the courts for about six years now, so it is a long time. The child is 10, almost 11, so he has not been with his father since he was about three years old," said David Ramer of the Chandler Police Department, reports the station.

Chandler police arrested Jaime Howell on charges of disorderly conduct. Authorities are working on extradition papers to take her back to Canada, Ramer said.

In an interview with KPHO, Howell said, "I didn't kidnap my son. I have sole custody."

The boy's father, Garrett Taylor, said he never lost hope that he would see his son again, even if it would be years later.