An Amber Alert remains active for 3-year-old Joshua Ovalles, who was last seen Tuesday around 10 a.m. near SW Western Avenue and SW Beaverton Hillsdale Highway in Beaverton, Oregon. Authorities confirmed late Wednesday night that the vehicle linked to his disappearance has been located, though the search for the young boy continues.
The Beaverton Police Department issued an update to correct earlier confusion. The Washington State Patrol had previously stated that Joshua had been found, but police clarified that the child remains missing.
Details of the Disappearance
According to the Oregon State Police, Joshua was taken by his non-custodial parent, Mari Cruz Martinez. Investigators believe Martinez has ties to the Cornelius and Beaverton areas. Authorities previously noted that Martinez has allegedly made past threats of harm toward the child and may be armed with a gun.
The white 2022 Mercedes GLB SUV that investigators believed the pair were traveling in was eventually recovered in the original Beaverton area. While the vehicle is no longer of active interest to law enforcement, the search for Joshua and Martinez persists.
Surveillance Footage and Description
Beaverton police released updated surveillance footage and images on Wednesday night showing Martinez walking toward SW Western Avenue and 5th Avenue. In the video, she is seen pulling a black wagon and wearing all-black clothing.
Law enforcement agencies, including the Oregon State Police and the Beaverton Police Department, are actively investigating the case and searching for the child.
How to Help
- Anyone who spots Joshua Ovalles or Mari Cruz Martinez is urged to call 911 immediately.
- If you have any direct information regarding their current whereabouts, contact local law enforcement or the Oregon State Police.
Amber Alerts in Oregon
An Amber Alert is an emergency response tool utilized by law enforcement to enlist the public’s help in finding abducted children who are in imminent danger. In Oregon, these alerts are triggered when police confirm a child has been abducted, the child is in danger of serious bodily harm or death, and there is sufficient descriptive information about the child, captor, or vehicle to make a recovery likely through public broadcast.
Authorities emphasize that timely reporting and community vigilance remain critical factors in successfully resolving active endangered missing child cases.
