Wendell, N.C. — Wendell police returned a runaway boy to his parents Tuesday evening.

Jason Little, 9, ran away from his home on Cook Street just before noon Tuesday.

"We were getting phone calls all evening, spotting him in different locations. Of course, it wasn't confirmed. So I think he was moving around quite a bit," Wendell Police Chief Vance Johnson said.

Authorities said firefighters found Jason walking on N.C. Highway 97 near Wendell Middle School around 8 p.m. He appeared to be in good condition.

The boy's father, who his also named Jason Little, said he recently moved back to the area to be closer to his son.

"Words can't describe how I feel right now," Little said. "It's just relief."

Johnson said the police department is familiar with Jason, who has run away half-dozen times in the past six years.

"We're gonna involve child protective services and make sure those resources are used to make sure he's getting anything he needs," Johnson said.