The boy’s father, Joshua Moen, was charged with theft Thursday.
SHELTON, Wash. — When Jeff Thompson discovered 26-year-old father allegedly took away his 3-year-old son He took action Wednesday while hiding in a trailer in his backyard without permission.
“I told him to stop dragging his kids into making bad decisions,” Thompson told KING 5. He added that he wanted his son to show him that he could “be a big boy, turn himself in, and pay for the consequences of his decisions.”
The boy’s father, Joshua Moen, was charged with theft Thursday. Charges of reckless endangerment and fleeing are pending. A Mason County judge ordered him held on $250,000 bail.
When Moen was arrested Wednesday, he had outstanding warrants in Mason, Pierce, Lewis and Cowlitz counties.
Investigators said Moen took his son away after an argument with a family member during a supervised visit around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. A probable cause document states that Mohn’s family asked Mohn to leave because he violated the Department of Children, Youth and Families’ “safety plan,” which prohibits him from being alone with children.
When the family tried to move the 3-year-old, Moen threw him in the back seat, according to probable cause documents. When the family member tried to get the boy out of the car, Moen allegedly accelerated, throwing the family member from the car.
An AMBER Alert has been issued.
An officer spotted the vehicle about a half-mile away.
A few hours later, a homeowner discovered the child and captured him. Mohn escaped, triggering a search on the ground and in the sky.
He was found in the woods shortly after driving through a walking trail, according to police.
In the video of the child’s rescue, staff can be seen comforting him and putting a fire hat on the boy. The Amber Alert was canceled Thursday around 4 p.m.
