Boy Allegedly Kidnapped By Father Found Safe

Updated at 7:10 p.m.

A California Highway Patrol officer stopped the suspect at Bicknell Drive and Marian View Drive, in Idyllwild, according to sheriff's officials.

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UPDATED at 3:51 p.m.

Domenic Smith, a 5-year-old boy allegedly abducted by his father, was found safe and sound in Idyllwild Friday afternoon.

The suspect, his car and the boy were spotted by a gas station owner in Idyllwild about 2:45 p.m., according to sheriff's Deputy Albert Martinez.

The station owner called law enforcement and shortly after that, a California Highway Patrol officer spotted the vehicle and made a traffic stop.

The suspect, Anthony Smith-Dixon, was taken into custody without incident.

The boy was taken to the sheriff's Hemet station to be reunited with his mother, Martinez said.

Domenic was taken from his care provider about 10:35 p.m. in San Jacinto.

According to Martinez, the father walked inside  the home in the 1900 block of Tennyson Street when the licensed daycare provider opened the door.

"The suspect walked in, saw the child," picked him up and walked out, Martinez said.

"The suspect is a large man ... the provider didn’t have a choice," the deputy said.

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Law enforcement authorities Friday asked for the public’s help in finding a 5-year-old boy allegedly kidnapped by his father, prompting an Amber Alert.

San Jacinto police Thursday went to a baby sitter’s home in the 1900 block of Tennyson Street about 10:35 p.m. to investigate the alleged abduction of Domenic Smith, according to Riverside County sheriff’s officials.

The suspect is the boy’s father, Anthony Smith-Dixon, who does not have any custody rights to the child.

The boy’s mother also had obtained a restraining order against the suspect for fear of him, according to officials.

Domenic is black, about 3 feet 6 and 50 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

The boy was last seen wearing a brown shirt -- with an unknown logo on the front -- and blue pants.

The suspect is believed to be driving a gold-colored Saturn four-door sedan from the early 2000 decade. The vehicle is believed to be missing the driver’s side door panel because of a recent traffic crash.

Smith-Dixon is black, about 6 feet 3 and 185 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

He was last seen wearing a thick black-and-white jacket and dark pants.  

Smith-Dixon is now suspected of kidnapping and has an active felony warrant for assault with a deadly weapon and should be considered armed and dangerous.

Officials ask that residents not approach the suspect if he is spotted but to immediately call 911 and advise the dispatcher of the suspect's location.

Anyone with information about this incident was asked to contact San Jacinto police, 951-654-2702.