An Amber Alert was issued for a missing child, who was later located in Arizona.
COCONINO COUNTY, Ariz. — A 1-year-old boy, reported missing after being taken from a Target parking lot on Sunday, was eventually found in northern Arizona, authorities confirmed.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department indicated that three suspects allegedly abducted the child from his mother in a parking lot in Sangyo City, which is just east of Los Angeles.
The suspects reportedly held the mother at knifepoint to lure the boy away, and there were concerns they might be headed toward Colorado. An Amber Alert was briefly issued for the child before Arizona Troopers managed to locate him later that day.
At least one individual has been detained in connection with the incident, according to reports.
“The Valley” is a term locals use to describe the Phoenix metropolitan area, the largest in the southwestern U.S.
This valley encompasses various major cities aside from Phoenix.
- Mesa
- Chandler
- Scottsdale
- Tempe
- Glendale
- Surprise
- Peoria
- Gilbert
- El Mirage
- Avondale
- Litchfield Park
- Goodyear
- Buckeye
The distinction between “East Valley” and “West Valley” depends on a city’s connection to Phoenix.
As per the 2020 US Census, the valley’s population stands at 4,845,832, making it the 11th largest metropolitan area in the nation, just behind Boston and Atlanta.
How large is Maricopa County?
According to the 2020 census, Maricopa County ranks as the fourth largest county in the U.S. with a population of 4,485,414.
The county comprises about 63% of Arizona’s total population and spans 9,224 square miles, making it larger than seven U.S. states (like Rhode Island and Delaware).
Maricopa County is also home to one of the largest park systems in the nation, featuring around 120,000 acres of parks, including extensive trails, a nature center, and campsites.
The county seat is Phoenix, which is not only the state capital but also the fifth most populous city in the United States, according to census data.
The county derives its name from the Maricopa, or Pipashu, Native American tribe.
