SEARCH UNDERWAY FOR MISSING THREE-YEAR-OLD OREGON BOY

A statewide search is ongoing in Oregon for three-year-old Joshua Ovalles, who vanished after being taken by his mother, 39-year-old Mari Cruz Martinez, who lacks legal custody. Joshua was last seen on Tuesday morning, October 6, in Beaverton, near Portland. Law enforcement officials have expressed deep concern for the child’s safety, citing disturbing statements allegedly made by Martinez regarding her son.

On Wednesday, Oregon State Police issued an Amber Alert targeting a white Mercedes SUV linked to Martinez. Officers located the abandoned vehicle in Beaverton later that evening. Surveillance footage from the area near Southwest Western Avenue and Southwest Fifth Avenue captured a woman believed to be Martinez pulling a wagon containing a small child. The individual was wearing a black hoodie with a prominent white logo on the back, dark trousers, and light-colored shoes.

Following the vehicle’s recovery, state police canceled the formal Amber Alert, as the car was no longer sought and technical alert criteria were no longer met. Despite public confusion surrounding the alert’s cancellation, Beaverton Police emphasize that Joshua remains missing and the active search continues.

Joshua is described as three feet tall, weighing 40 pounds, with curly light brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information or who spots Joshua or Mari Martinez is urged to contact emergency services immediately.