A frightening Friday evening in Alhambra came to a relief-filled ending after a 3-month-old boy, Cayden Ramey, was found safe following his abduction that triggered an Amber Alert across Southern California.
The incident began around 5:25 p.m. on May 22 near Hampden Terrace and Sherwood Avenue in Alhambra.
According to the Alhambra Police Department, the child’s mother had left her car running with Cayden in the backseat while she briefly stepped out to visit a nearby house. When she returned, the car was gone, along with her infant son.
Police immediately launched an investigation, and the California Highway Patrol activated an Amber Alert on behalf of the Alhambra Police Department.
The alert described Cayden as a 21-inch-long baby weighing 17 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes. He was last seen dressed in long-sleeve blue shorts and green sweatpants.
The suspect was described as approximately 30 years old, around 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a medium build, black hair, and brown eyes. The individual was last seen wearing a black shirt, blue and black pants, and carrying a black backpack.
Authorities believed the suspect was driving a black 2015 Honda Civic sedan with California license plate 7KFZ167. No gender description was officially provided by authorities at the time of the alert.
Search Leads to South Pasadena
As the alert spread across the region, tips began coming in. Around 7:30 p.m., South Pasadena police received information that the vehicle was possibly located on Brent Avenue.
Officers responded and found the car. Inside, Cayden was discovered safe and unharmed, bringing the search to an end less than two hours after it began.
Medics evaluated Cayden on the scene before he was reunited with his family. Alhambra police confirmed the baby was safe just before 7:25 p.m., and the Amber Alert was subsequently deactivated.
However, the suspect had not been taken into custody as of Friday night. Authorities are continuing their investigation and have urged residents in the area to review any home surveillance camera footage that may have captured activity related to the incident. Anyone with relevant information was asked to contact law enforcement directly.
What the Alert Means
The CHP issues Amber Alerts only in the most serious cases involving children. According to the agency, these alerts require specific evidence that a child is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death.
Friday’s alert met that threshold the moment police confirmed an unknown individual had driven off with an infant still inside the vehicle.
The case drew significant public attention across Los Angeles County, with the alert reaching drivers on freeways and residents on mobile devices throughout the region. The rapid community response likely played a role in locating the vehicle so quickly.
Alhambra police have not confirmed the relationship, if any, between the suspect and the child or his family. No further details about the circumstances of the carjacking have been released as the investigation remains active.
This is a developing story. Additional information will be provided as authorities release further details.
