Local authorities are asking people to check their irrigation ditches and outbuildings after a 5-year-old boy went missing from an open field behind his home.
Michael Vaughan from Idaho disappeared from the area of Ninth Street in Fruitland and South Arizona Avenue between 6:30 pm and 7:15 pm on July 27.
Law enforcement agencies have been searching the area since his disappearance.
During a press conference last week, Fruitland Police Chief J.D. Huff said that Michael’s parents, Tyler Vaughan and Brandi Neal, have been cooperative with the investigations.
He also urged people to stop spreading rumors about the case.
According to reports, the 5-year-old was in an open field behind their home in Fruitland when he went missing.
It is not clear where his parents were or what he was doing in the field at that time.
For almost two weeks, law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, have scoured 3,000 acres of land and 29 miles of riverbank, watched security footage from the area, and drained two irrigation runoff ditches.
Officers have also searched around 200 homes, interviewed people in the surrounding area, drained a septic tank and looked through trash cans.
According to Idaho Statesman, helicopters, K-9 dogs, drones, divers, kayaks and paragliders have been deployed in the search for Michael.
Chief Huff asked homeowners to inspect their vehicles, outbuildings, properties, and any place where a child could get stuck in.
“Children move around and they wander. They may have traveled back into your yard without your knowledge,” he said.
“Maybe you are even afraid to reach out to us. We are here, we want to listen to what you have to say… Our goal is to find Michael and bring him home.”
In a Facebook post, Michael’s heartbroken mother wrote: “This unimaginable nightmare is beyond words I can express! Please, Please help bring our baby home!
“I will NOT STOP till he’s safe in our arms!”
Michael was last seen wearing a blue Minecraft shirt and dark blue boxer briefs. He’s 3ft 7inch tall, weighs around 50lbs, with blue eyes and blonde hair.
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