Missing 6-year-old Fontana boy with autism found safe

FONTANA, Calif. (KABC) -- A 6-year-old boy with autism who wandered away from his home in the 15800 block of Manzanita Drive in Fontana Thursday afternoon was reunited with his family after he was found playing with chairs in a neighbor's backyard.

Cristobal Patino, also known as Chris, was reported missing at about 2:40 p.m. His family told authorities he was playing in the front yard in his diaper when he wandered away.

Fontana police launched a massive search response, which included a helicopter search, a bloodhound and a reverse 911 call. The call initiated by the Fontana Police Department informed residents that a 6-year-old boy had gone missing nearby.

A homeowner, who received the reverse 911 call, saw the boy playing with some chairs in her backyard, put two-and-two together and alerted authorities who came to rescue the child. He was reunited with his family shortly before 6 p.m.

"I was going nuts already. I was trying to hold it in, but thank God he's here," said Rita Patino, Cristobal's aunt and guardian.

Further details were not immediately released.