UPDATE: Missing 10-year-old Springs boy found safe

The Colorado Springs Police Department says a 10-year-old boy who disappeared from a southwest side elementary school Wednesday has been found and is safe.

Asher Hardage is a fourth-grader at Cheyenne Mountain Elementary School in the 5200 block of Farthing Drive, near Highway 115 and S. Academy Blvd.

He disappeared around 3 p.m. Police say the boy ran away after school because a van was following him.

Hardage ran away to a nearby house where a neighbor recognized him from the news.

“Asher just came walking through the yard. I happened to be looking out the window at the same time. I asked him if he was Asher and he said yes and he was just scared,” said Mark Magrini.

Magrini immediatley called police.

“I told him his dad was looking for him. He said he hoped he wasn’t in trouble and told him he probably wouldn’t be,” said Magrini.

Colorado Springs police say they follow a certain protocol with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

“We go through a process where we really try to eliminate places they could be, like checking the home, friends, family friends, people they associate with at the school,” said Lt. Jeff Strosser, Colorado Springs police.

Police say it’s very important for parents to have a conversation with their kids about what to do and where to go when they notice suspicious activity.

“This is not a common event, it happens occasionally but oftentimes we have a very successful resolution,” said Strosser.

Police don’t believe there’s a threat to the rest of the neighborhood but are continuing to investigate.