Oakland police said Wednesday they located three of the four children they were seeking in connection with the case of a 3-year-old boy who is being treated at a hospital for severe injuries allegedly caused by abuse.
Police spokeswoman Officer Johnna Watson said the children, who were staying with a relative in another city, are safe and in the custody of the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department.
She said the relative contacted authorities at about 6:15 a.m. Wednesday after hearing the children's names on the news.
The relative "advised that she had three of the four children in her care," Watson said.
The children were taken into protective custody and will be returned to Alameda County, Watson said.
Police are still trying to locate the fourth child, 16-year-old Alyajah Marie Johnson.
Investigators began looking for the children after the 3-year-old boy was hospitalized Monday when his babysitter called police to report that he was unresponsive, Watson said.
Authorities began investigating the extent and severity of the boy's injuries and found evidence of past abuse, police said.
The boy remains in critical condition today, Watson said.
His mother, stepfather and babysitter, all Oakland residents, have been arrested, but their names have not yet been released.
"The Oakland Police Department wishes to thank the media and the community for their assistance in locating the missing at-risk children," Watson said.
Anyone with information on the case is urged to contact the Oakland Police Department's Family Youth Services Division at (510) 238-3641.
To see Christie Smith's earlier report of when the three children were missing, click here.
View more videos at: http://nbcbayarea.com.
