ABC 7 in Los Angeles reports that last month, 911 dispatchers in Los Angeles received a call from a 12-year-old boy who was in the car with his father, who was, according to the boy, acting strangely and trying to take him to Las Vegas.
On October 26, California Highway Patrol dispatchers got a call from Ayden, who was frightened because he was in the car with his father, who he believed was driving drunk.
“I need help,” Ayden said, “My dad is trying to take me to Vegas. He’s acting weird.”
Ayden’s father had picked him up at a family gathering in Los Angeles without telling anyone he was taking the child. At the time, Ayden’s father told him they were going to the park.
When the dispatcher asked Ayden what kind of car he and his father were in, the Boy described it as a Toyota Camry with Raider license plates on the back and front of the vehicle.
At one point, the call was disconnected, and dispatchers tried to call Ayden back but got no answer. Fortunately, however, Ayden was able to redial 911 and give dispatchers the vehicle’s location.
“Everything was kind of hectic,” dispatcher April Gringas told reporters.” We’re trying to get officers into position. We’re trying to get the information to everybody.”
Dispatchers were on the phone with officers for over an hour and urged the Boy to put his arm out of the car and wave so that CHP officers could locate the vehicle. When Ayden’s dad pulled over on Baseline Road just off the 15 Freeway, CHP officers caught up to the car.
The CHP officers approached the vehicle and found Ayden’s dad at the wheel wearing a Las Vegas Raiders football helmet.
The boy’s father was arrested on suspicion of DUI and child abuse.
Ayden was safely returned to his family.
