Avondale boy reported missing found in west Phoenix

A 4-year-old Avondale boy who was missing for four hours was found in west Phoenix late Sunday.

Avondale police searched neighborhoods, parks, open fields and a canal in search of German Horatio Mendivil Payan. He had been last seen playing outside his home on the 11500 block of West Olive Drive around 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

Around 11:40 p.m., Phoenix police notified Avondale officials that they had found the boy earlier in the evening at a store near 75th Avenue and Thomas Road.

Officers are unsure how the boy ended up 5 miles from his home. He is in the custody of Child Protective Services while police investigate the case.

Anyone with information should call the Avondale Police Department at 623-333-7001.

German Horatio Mendivil