Man charged with felonies in abduction of 3-year-old boy in Amber Alert

Joshua Pendleton, the ex-boyfriend of the child's mother, was arrested after an overnight search

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:43pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a car key fob against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash. The fob reflects a faint red light, conceptually representing the urgency and investigation of a child abduction case.The recovery of an abducted child highlights the critical role of the Amber Alert system in mobilizing law enforcement and the public to act quickly.Los Angeles Today

A 38-year-old man has been charged with kidnapping for carjacking and carjacking, both felonies, after an Amber Alert was issued for a missing 3-year-old boy he was allegedly with. Joshua Pendleton and the child were found safe at a hotel in Gardena on Tuesday morning.

Why it matters

Amber Alerts are a critical tool for law enforcement to quickly notify the public about abducted children, leading to faster recoveries. This case highlights the importance of the public's vigilance and cooperation with authorities during these types of urgent situations.

The details

According to police, Pendleton was identified as the ex-boyfriend of the child's mother. He and the 3-year-old boy were last seen on Monday night, prompting an Amber Alert to be issued across several Southern California counties. Authorities located Pendleton and the unharmed child at a hotel in Gardena on Tuesday morning, but details about how they were found have not been released.

  • The Amber Alert was issued on Tuesday morning.
  • Pendleton and the child were last seen on Monday night around 10 p.m.

The players

Joshua Pendleton

A 38-year-old man who was charged with kidnapping for carjacking and carjacking, both felonies, in connection with the abduction of a 3-year-old boy.

Los Angeles Police Department

The law enforcement agency that issued the Amber Alert and located Pendleton and the child at a hotel in Gardena.

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What they’re saying

“The child was found safe and uninjured and is being reunited with family.”

— LAPD

What’s next

Pendleton is expected to appear in court in the coming days to face the felony charges.

The takeaway

This case serves as a reminder of the importance of the Amber Alert system in quickly mobilizing law enforcement and the public to locate abducted children. The safe recovery of the 3-year-old boy is a positive outcome, but the incident also raises concerns about domestic violence and the need for robust systems to protect vulnerable children.