A father-of-three who disappeared without a trace sparking a desperate search had abandoned his family to run away with someone he met online.

Walter Lee Arms was reported missing on February 5 after his wife got a call saying that her husband had never shown up for work that day. His car was later found dumped at the roadside near San Antonio, Texas.

The 44-year-old's disappearance sparked a huge search effort as his family were left wondering if he'd been run over, killed or kidnapped.

But police have since discovered Arms 'safe and unharmed' living hundreds of miles away in Ohio, News 4 San Antonio reports.

Walter Lee Arms (center, in hat) who disappeared without a trace sparking a desperate search had abandoned his family to run away with someone he met online. He is pictured with his family including wife Kathy (front left), their daughter Braylin (on her lap), 16-year-old Brendon and 19-year-old Bracen (standing either side of their father)

They say decided to abandon his wife Kathy and their children, and leave home after meeting someone online.

'He wanted to escape his life out there and his situation,' Bath Township Police Chief Michael McNeely said Monday.

Janet Moy, Arms's sister-in-law, branded him 'sad' and 'disgusting' for what he had done to his family.

'We actually found out thru US Marshalls he left of his own accord with another women(sic),' she wrote on Facebook. 'He was not kidnapped. Yes there are two sides to every story but if he wanted out he should have asked for a divorce.'

The ordeal began earlier this month when Arms set out for the hour-and-a-half drive from his home in Falls City to his job at USPS off Foster Road on February 5.

But the 44-year-old never made it. His Ford Fusion was found abandoned off 1604 between I-10 and St. Hedwig, with the engine still running and driver's door still open.

Walter Lee Arms was reported missing on February 5 when his devastated wife got the call that her husband had failed to turn up for work (pictured is a missing poster)

Arm's belongings, including his wallet and cellphone, were still inside. Two boots, one by the car door, the other nearly 50 feet in front of the vehicle, as well as a flashlight were also recovered. There was no blood at the scene.

Moy said shortly after his disappearance that the family had no idea what had happened to the father-of-three.

'We don't know if somebody hit him and picked him up and threw him in the car or just picked him up and took him. We don't know anything,' she said.

His last sighting was at a San Antonio gas station before he was reported missing.

Arms' family were distraught.

'His 8-year-old daughter (Braylin) is just beside herself,' Moy added.

Arms also has two sons, 16-year-old Brendon and 19-year-old Bracen, that he left behind.

His wife Kathy had issued an emotional plea for information about her husband's whereabouts.

Arms was also seen on video surveillance at a gas station (pictured) in the San Antonio area before he disappeared

Police have since discovered Arms (left and right) 'safe and unharmed' living hundreds of miles away in Ohio

'If somebody knows anything or has any information, please call,' she said, according to Kens 5.

Friends and family also scoured the Falls City area looking for the missing father.

'We looked around a little for our own peace and comfort [Monday], but by then it was getting dark,' said Valerie Farris, Arms's sister-in-law.

'He wouldn't have just left that day and not come back,' a family friend added at the time.

The Heidi Search Center and the police also dedicated their resources and hours of manpower to finding the family man.

'I've worked human trafficking and missing persons for 14 years and this is a very rare incident. This is the first time I've actually had it happen,' said Dottie Laster, Executive Director of the Center.

Laster says that after the search went national, she was contacted by a law enforcement agency from out of state who identified Lee as being in Ohio.

'If you're a taxpayer you may have questions where, he should pay for the expense of the county and to the Heidi Search Center,' added Laster.

So far, no charges have been filed against Arms.

A relative told News 4 San Antonio the family are now trying to heal.