Missing toddler found in West Seattle, with high-tech help

According to SPD Blotter, a missing 2-year-old was found in West Seattle late last night, with the help of license-plate-recognition technology. The boy and his 40-year-old grandfather hadn’t been seen since Saturday afternoon. Their family got worried that the man might have had a substance-abuse relapse, so they notified authorities early Sunday. Hours later, an officer found the car because of history in the LPR vehicle; and shortly thereafter, he found out where the boy was. He’s now safe at home. The LPR technology is explained here.

DCS Foyle April 11, 2011 (6:22 am)

Wow, love that new LPR technology! Now that’s what I call ‘your tax dollars at work’! Kudos to the SPD for adopting this great crime-fighting tool, and to the officer who effectively used his/her equipment to bring this situation to a happy conclusion.

cstar April 11, 2011 (9:02 am)

Was the boy found in the car? I suppose not since the story notes he was found shortly thereafter… Was the toddler with the grandfather? At any rate, glad he was found safe.

JT April 11, 2011 (9:21 am)

Wow…not reported until early Sunday? Glad he was found safe.

JT April 11, 2011 (9:24 am)

Cool technology, thanks for reporting it.

Westside April 11, 2011 (11:27 am)

Wow. “The boy and his 40-year-old grandfather…” I won’t be a grandfather until at least 55, probably more like 60-65. Different world.

T-Rex April 11, 2011 (12:58 pm)

If there is even the slightest chance that someone could have a substance-abuse relapse, you are not babysitting my kids. Grandfather or not.

Supervised visits, you bet.

Just sayin’.

GRG April 11, 2011 (5:35 pm)

This “technology” smacks of big-brotherism — just patrolling around catching all license numbers and running them through the computer? Just a “high tech” game of “Papers Please” from Nazi Germany. There is the potential for far more harm than good here..