Oregon Authorities Searching for Child Taken by Mentally Unstable Father

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the father or child, or the vehicle they may be in, is asked to call 9-1-1 immediately.

If you see Jesus Merino Leyva call 9-1-1. Photo: Portland Police

(PORTLAND, Ore. ) - Portland police are asking for the public's help in locating a 3-year-old boy who was taken by his father from his mothers home.

On Thursday, at 12:45 AM, Northeast Precinct officers were flagged down in the 6800 block of Northeast Killingsworth Street by the mother of a missing 3-year-old boy.

Jesus Merino Mendoza was reported missing by his mother after the child’s father, Jesus Merino Leyva, aka “Chu Cho”, took the child from her residence and did not return.

Investigators believe the father, who has also been entered as missing, is mentally unstable, and poses an immediate threat to the child’s safety.

At the time the child was taken, there was a valid Multnomah County Restraining Order in place, prohibiting the father from having contact with either the mother or the child.

Jesus Merino Leyva is described as a Hispanic male, 37 years old, 5’5”, 180 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Currently, his hair is shorter than in his DMV photo and he is clean-shaven. There is no clothing description.

Jesus Merino Mendoza is described a Hispanic male, 3-years- old, approximately 3’2”, 36 pounds, with short-cropped brown hair.

He was last seen wearing a blue, jersey-style tank top with a numeral on the front, blue shorts and sandals. He has a faint V-shaped birthmark on his forehead.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the father or child, or the vehicle they may be in, is asked to call 9-1-1 immediately.

Anyone with additional information may contact Detective Mike Weinstein, Missing Persons Unit, at (503) 823-0446.