A mother woke up from a nap in her quiet coastal Oregon town to discover that her autistic five-year-old son had vanished, according to police.
Joshua James McCoy disappeared from his home in Hauser, in Coos County, on November 9 and has not been seen since then.
His mother told police that she went to sleep with the boy at 1pm and he was gone when she woke up at 5.30pm Saturday.
The Coos County Sheriff’s office activated the search and rescue team the next day, and said they have found ‘some clues’ in their search but ‘nothing definitive.’ No further detail on those clues have been shared.
Oregon police are searching for Joshua James McCoy, 5, who vanished from his home on November 9, according to officials
‘After an initial assessment was completed, local teams began searching the surrounding areas, and their efforts intensified on the morning of November 10, using drones, Deputies, overwatch, and Detectives,’ they said in an update on Monday night.
‘As of today, CORSAR, a collaborative search and rescue effort between 7 Counties in Oregon and California, has continued the search with 61 ground personnel, aerial support, and K9 resources.’
The department added that ‘nothing is being ruled out at this time as we are considering all possible avenues.
‘We maintain hope that Joshua will be found alive and well.’
Police have asked the public stay away from the search area as they are concerned that evidence could be destroyed.
Joshua, who is autistic, is described as having brown hair and brown eyes. He reportedly weighs 50 to 60 pounds and is 3 feet, 6 inches tall
The boy went missing in the Hauser area – an unincorporated area in Coos County, pictured above
They said: ‘While citizen offer of aid is much appreciated, the search area is limited in capacity, and the concern is that evidence would be missed or tainted with an overwhelming number of personnel on scene.’
Hauser is an incorporated area in Coos County near the Pacific Coast.
Joshua is described as having brown shoulder-length hair and brown eyes.
He weighs 50 to 60 pounds and is 3 feet, 6 inches tall.
Police say the boy responds to ‘Josh’ or Joshie.’
However, officials noted that, because he is autistic, he may not respond when called.
Police have asked that anyone with information on the boy call 541-269-8911.