Amber Alert canceled, 2-year-old boy found safe in Monterey County

SOLEDAD, Calif. (KABC) -- A 2-year-old Soledad boy who was the subject of an Amber Alert has been found safe south of Salinas in Monterey County, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Authorities say a man called 911 after spotting the vehicle reported in the Amber Alert on River Road. Sheriff's deputies responded to the location and the man led them to a barn where they located Jacob Vargas and his father's black 2015 Honda Accord.

The vehicle was abandoned and no suspects are in custody, officials said.

Authorities began searching for the boy after he was taken around 6:45 a.m. Thursday.

CHP officials said Jacob's father placed him inside their vehicle, left the engine running to warm up the car and then ran back inside their home.

Jacob's father stepped back outside to find someone had stolen the vehicle with Jacob inside.

The Amber Alert was issued in Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito, San Luis Obispo and Santa Clara counties around 9:30 a.m. but expanded statewide around 1:30 p.m.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call 911 or the Soledad Police Department at (831) 682-0160.

CORRECTION: This story initially said the boy's first name was Jason but the boy's first name is Jacob.