Residents of a San Jose homeless encampment rescued a runaway 6-year-old autistic boy early Sunday morning. [Mercury News]
Sergio Zepeda wandered away from his San Jose home Saturday morning and spent the day and night wandering several miles over and around a hillside. Zepeda’s disappearance prompted a frantic search for the child.
Around 4 a.m., Zepeda turned up naked at a homeless encampment at the base of the hill he walked over. Residents of the encampment spotted him, provided him food, water and a blanket and called 911.
Police and paramedics responded to the scene and examined Zepeda. An ambulance transported him to a hospital only as a precaution.
Officers said they have no reason to believe the boy’s disappearance was the result of foul play.
“We’re tremendously fortunate that he was safely found,” said San Jose police spokesman Albert Morales. “Here’s a 6-year-old out in the elements and he trekked a pretty good distance. We’re all just very happy that it ended the way it did.”
