Toddler Found Wandering Alone in Encinitas Park Reunited With Parents

Encinitas, CA — A 2-year-old boy who was found wandering Friday in an Encinitas park has been reunited with his parents, a sheriff's sergeant said just before 8 p.m.

The boy was found walking barefoot and alone at about 1:30 p.m. Friday at Cottonwood Creek Park, 95 N. Vulcan Ave.

"Deputies searched the park, nearby homes, parking lots, hospitals and notified lifeguards at nearby beaches. Sheriff's ASTREA (helicopter) also made announcements overhead during the search, but deputies were not able to locate the child's parents or guardians," said San Diego County sheriff's Sgt. Joe Tomaiko.

A news release was then issued to in an effort to locate the boy's parents or guardians.

At 6 p.m., the boy’s parents called the Sheriff’s Department to report him missing when they discovered he was not at his preschool for pickup, sheriff's Sgt. Colin Ingraham said in an updated news release.

"The boy and his sibling were dropped off at the preschool at 9 a.m.," Ingraham said. "The preschool had a 'park day' activity (Friday). At some point, there was a mix-up in the head count and the students returned to the preschool without the boy."

Ingraham said no charges will be filed against the parents, who asked for privacy in the matter, he said.

"The preschool is not being named at this time because the investigation is ongoing," he said.

The Sheriff’s Department thanked the public and the media for helping get the word out about the incident.