PORT RICHEY, Fla. — A missing father and son have been found safe after Florida law enforcement issued a Missing Child Alert for the duo, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.
Noe Dominguez, 23, took off with his 2-year-old son, also named Noe Dominguez, around 10:10 a.m., Sheriff Chris Nocco said during a news conference Thursday afternoon. The father allegedly assaulted a family member near the Mercado Drive area of Port Richey.
Both were found in Hernando County not long after the sheriff held the news conference around 2 p.m.
Law enforcement issued a statewide response due to safety concerns about the child after the father stated, "By the end of today, I don't care if I'm dead or you're dead," to a family member, Nocco said.
The sheriff continued that as more information came in, law enforcement became increasingly fearful for the child's life.
Nocco stated the father made contact again with a family member and that person told police, "Anyone try to get him [the child], it will be the last day for him and the baby."
It's not yet known how law enforcement found the pair or what led them to another county.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.