The boy, Anthony Arellanes, wandered off about 10:40 a.m. Monday from the 3600 block of Ojai Road in Santa Paula. He was spotted by authorities around 3:30 p.m. in a dry riverbed. It's unclear how long the boy had been missing before authorities were alerted.
Arellanes was found alert, conscious and talking after a massive search by land and air. He appeared to be in good condition and was taken to the hospital as a precaution, authorities said.
Authorities said the child was visiting his great uncle's 800-acre ranch with family and was playing outdoors with other children before wandering off.
Afternoon temperatures in the Santa Paula area soared to the high 90s.
