An Amber Alert search for a 10-year-old Vancouver boy was canceled early Wednesday after law enforcement found him camping with his estranged father near Hood River, Ore.
The father was questioned by Hood River County sheriff’s deputies but was not arrested.
The incident began after school Tuesday when Andrey Voronenko, 10, was picked up by his father, 38-year-old Alexey Voronenko, from Mill Plain Elementary School, 400 S.E. 164th Ave.
Andrey’s mother, who had filed a protection order against Alexey Voronenko in Texas, was concerned for her son’s safety and called 911. Vancouver police responded to the school to investigate at about 4:45 p.m.
Although the protection order doesn’t make any mention of children, Vancouver police spokeswoman Kim Kapp said the circumstances surrounding the child’s whereabouts caused concern, so the Amber Alert was issued. Amber Alerts trigger a widespread alert to law enforcement and the public that a child is missing.
Alexey Voronenko had gone through the proper procedures to have his son released to him at the school, Kapp said. He showed a school official his identification, which was checked against the boy’s birth certificate. Because there was no mention of a protection order in the boy’s school file, Kapp said, the school was not at fault. Police, however, were concerned with finding Andrey Voronenko to make sure he was safe, she said.
“We look at the big picture,” Kapp said. “We became increasingly concerned about the child’s welfare.”
Vancouver police issued an Amber Alert at about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, after confirming with authorities in Texas that Voronenko’s dark gray Honda was not at his residence. Details about possible vehicles a missing child is traveling in is a required component of an Amber Alert.
Deputies from the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office spotted the vehicle at a campground outside of Hood River at about 4:15 a.m. Wednesday, Kapp said. Both Voronenkos were found safe.
Vancouver police detectives wrapped up their investigation Wednesday and did not recommend any criminal charges, Kapp said. However, their information will be forwarded onto Child Protective Services for follow-up with the family.
“It was a happy ending,” Kapp said.”The best possible outcome is that everybody is safe.”
Morning Briefing Newsletter
Get a rundown of the latest local and regional news every Mon-Fri morning.
