San Diego County boy found safe; Amber Alert canceled

NATIONAL CITY, Calif. (KABC) -- A 5-year-old boy was found safe Sunday after police say he was abducted by his mother in National City near San Diego Saturday night.

Gladys Suarez, 27, abducted Johnnie Melendez Jr. from Sweetwater Inn around 7 p.m. Police say the boy's father returned to the hotel and discovered them, and all of their belongings, were gone. He contacted National City police after searching for about 90 minutes.

During the investigation, officers learned a male subject from the hotel had given Suarez and Melendez a ride to a Shell Gas Station in Encinitas.

An Amber Alert was issued Sunday at the request of National City police after the boy's father received a threatening message on his cell phone from Suarez.

Suarez contacted the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Station in Lancaster after seeing the Amber Alert. Melendez was found unharmed at a residence in Lancaster. Suarez is facing kidnapping charges.

Melendez was described as a Hispanic boy, standing around 4 feet, 80 pounds with brown hair and eyes. He was last seen wearing a Batman T-shirt, striped boxer shorts and slippers with "SD" printed on them.

Suarez was described as a Hispanic woman, standing around 4 feet 11 inches, 190 pounds with brown hair and eyes. She was last seen wearing a black tank top, blue capri pants and tan moccasin-style slippers.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on their whereabouts had been urged to contact National City police at (619) 336-4411.

CNS contributed to this report.