Critical Missing 3-Year-Old Child NR26083jl

April 14, 2026

UPDATE 

On April 14, 2026, around 10:15 a.m., Gardena Police Department officers located the vehicle containing the suspect and the child in the 1000 block of West El Segundo Boulevard in Gardena.

The child was found safe and uninjured and is being reunited with family. The suspect is currently being interviewed.

This investigation is ongoing.

April 14, 2026

Critical Missing 3-Year-Old Child

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department’s 77th Division detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in locating 3-year-old Messiah Evans.

On April 13, 2026, around 10:00 p.m., the child was last seen inside a vehicle near 66th Street and Normandie Avenue in Los Angeles. The suspect, the ex-boyfriend of the child’s mother and not the biological father, took the vehicle. Authorities believe the suspect may be traveling in a white 2006 Saturn Vue, license plate #5SHE918. The California Highway Patrol activated the AMBER Alert on behalf of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Messiah Evans is described as a 3-year-old Black male with black hair and brown eyes. He stands 3 feet tall and weighs approximately 50 pounds. Messiah was wearing a burgundy onesie.

The suspect, Joshua Pendleton, is described as a 38-year-old Black male with black hair and hazel eyes. He stands 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs approximately 265 pounds.

If you have seen or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Messiah Evans, please contact 77th area Watch Commander at (323) 786-5075. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.