Fontana man with autism missing after jail release

FONTANA, Calif. (KABC) -- A local mother is desperately searching for her 21-year-old son who has autism. He was taken away by Fontana police officers Monday night, and his mother hasn't seen him since.

Trizah Morris says police came to her home after getting a call to check on their welfare on Monday night. She says her son, Antonio Thomas, became agitated and that officers arrested him for resisting and obstructing an officer.

The department says Thomas was turned over to the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. He was cited and released from the jail in Rancho Cucamonga at around 3 a.m. on Tuesday, August 12.

Morris says her 6-foot-3-inch son looks like an adult, but has the mental capacity of a 10-year-old.

"He is not a violent individual. He's a teddy bear. He's not violent in any way. He's not outspoken. He's not aggressive or anything," said mother Trizah Morris.

Fontana police defended its officers.

"Our officers followed protocol in regards to the arrest and even took the individual to a hospital when he complained of hand pain. He was medically cleared at the hospital before being booked at WVDC (West Valley Detention Center," the department said in a statement.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, the agency that released Thomas from jail, says it had no indication he had any disability.

Thomas may not be familiar with his surroundings. The family just moved to Fontana from Watts a few months ago.