Mother in custody after Hillsborough deputies find missing 1-year-old boy safe

TAMPA — An endangered toddler who went missing for nine days was found safe late Wednesday night and his mother was taken into custody, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

Child protection investigators received a tip on May 20 that 1-year-old Valyn Douglass-Bush was being neglected, said the Sheriff's Office. There was also an arrest warrant for his mother, Aryn Douglass, 33, on a charge of petty theft.

However, investigators said they could not locate the child. They obtained a court order to take custody of the missing toddler. Then on Wednesday, deputies said that after hours of searching they found the child.

"Valyn is happy and appears to be in good health," the agency said.

Deputies were still looking for his mother, but hours later reported she was taken into custody.

Aryn Douglass was being held without bail at the Hillsborough County jail.

Contact Carl Lisciandrello at clisciandrello@tampabay.com. Follow @carlmarks_Times.