BURTON, Texas – A four-year-old boy who was the focus of an Amber Alert was found safe in Houston on Monday evening.
The boy’s father, Joshua Crowley, 36, of Round Rock, was arrested at a Subway restaurant off of North Freeway around 6 p.m., according to U.S. Marshals.
“I know he was very surprised because he didn’t see us come in and he was sitting there eating dinner with his son,” said Deputy U.S. Marshal Cameron Welch.
Joshua and his son Wyatt were inside the restaurant when investigators spotted their vehicle parked out front, Welch said.
“It could’ve been a lot worse, for sure -- especially with that child. But at the end of the day, everybody was safe and we’re all going home,” said Welch.
Wyatt’s mother said she last saw the boy on Saturday when she willingly handed him over to Crowley, who is her ex-husband.
“I had left my son with my ex-husband to watch him and they both disappeared,” said mother Daniela Crowley.
Deputies in Washington County said Joshua is the suspect in a shooting in Burton that happened on Sunday. One man was seriously hurt.
The Amber Alert was issued early on Monday.
Welch said the boy is ok and will be returned to his family.
Joshua is expected to be booked into the Washington County jail, according to Sheriff Otto Hanak.
The U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Violent Offender Fugitive Task Force worked with Texas Rangers and Washington County deputies on the search.