Update: Tuesday, 12:12 p.m.
More information has become available as to the reason for a Spring Valley boy's day-long disappearance on Monday.
The father of William Patrick Gear told reporters the straight-A pupil had skipped school and hid in a park several miles from home all day because he was upset over recent deaths in his family.
The youngster initially claimed he had been kidnapped, but quickly admitted the truth, the man said.
Original story:
A 12-year-old Spring Valley boy, missing since leaving his Ildica Street home about 8:15 Monday morning to go to school, has been found safe in Lemon Grove, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
William Patrick Gear was found about 6:40 p.m. on Mount Vernon Street. Authorities did not immediately say where he was while a massive search was under way. By late Monday night, he had been reunited with his family and was safe at home.
The boy's disappearance prompted law enforcement personnel and volunteers to spend hours conducting a ground and air search. The Sheriff's Department, along with volunteers, combed the area on foot and by helicopter throughout the afternoon.
The boy's father reported the him missing around 11:00 a.m. when he didn’t show up at La Presa Middle School in Spring Valley.
—City News Service contributed to this report.
