Police seek missing 7-year-old last seen in Santa Monica alley

Police launched a search Wednesday for 7-year-old King Darius Lozada, last seen Tuesday evening with his father in a Santa Monica alley, as authorities expressed concern the child may be in danger because his father may be experiencing a mental health crisis, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

The case highlights the acute risk young children face when a caregiver's mental health deteriorates without intervention — a concern familiar to families across Southern California, including those in Orange County communities.

King Darius Lozada, 7, was last spotted in an alley near Arizona Avenue and Berkeley Street in Santa Monica on Tuesday evening, ABC7 Los Angeles reported. He stands about 4 feet tall and weighs 85 pounds.

The boy was last seen wearing a dark blue sweatshirt and light blue sweatpants. Investigators said he may be traveling on foot or riding a black electric scooter.

Lozada was in the company of his father, Darius Clay Jackson, when he was last seen. Santa Monica police said Jackson may be experiencing a mental health crisis, which led authorities to determine the child could be at risk.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the child or his father was asked to call 911 immediately, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

The search was ongoing as of Wednesday with no confirmed sighting of Lozada or his father.