ID MICHAEL VAUGHAN: Missing from Fruitland, ID - 27 July 2021 - Age 5

Search continues for missing and endangered 5-year-old in Fruitland, Idaho

Michael Vaughan was last seen near SW 9th Street and S. Arizona Ave. in Fruitland on Tuesday evening. Crews and neighbors were out all day looking for the boy.

www.ktvb.com

Search continues for missing and endangered 5-year-old in Fruitland, Idaho​

Michael Vaughn was last seen near SW 9th Street and S. Arizona Ave. in Fruitland on Tuesday evening. Crews and neighbors were out all day looking for the boy.

The search for a missing 5-year-old-year-old boy intensified Wednesday as it entered its second day.

Michael Vaughn was last seen near SW 9th Street and S. Arizona Avenue in Fruitland around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The Fruitland Police Department said Michael is considered missing and endangered.

Michael is about three feet, seven-inches tall and weighs 50 pounds. He has blonde hair and blue eyes. He answers to the nickname "Monkey."

Michael was wearing a light blue shirt with a Minecraft picture on it, dark blue boxer briefs and sandals.

Idaho Mountain Rescue brought in highly-trained and rescue personnel to assist in the search.

Crews from multiple agencies searched the area near Michael's home by ground and air by drone and helicopter. They also went door to door, talking with neighbors.

Right next to the boy's home is a field where crews spent much of the day searching for him.

Neighbors say they learned about his disappearance about an hour after he was reported missing. They say Michael is a happy kid who lives with his parents and grandfather.

Cynthia Walker was walking her dog as the search was happening.

"At five years old, I don't know that he would wander too far without one us seeing him by now," she said. "There are volunteers, many, many volunteers out searching, scanning the fields and we just want to have Michael back, we just want him home safe."





MEDIA - MICHAEL VAUGHN: Missing from Fruitland, ID since 27 July 2021 - Age 5

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

 

[GrandmaBear]

This case nags in a way some don't. I can't quite put my finger on it. I feel as if something we think is fact isn't or something on that order. I usually feel like some info is missing and that is usually the case anyhow, but in this one I have doubt that what is known is accurate as well. I don't know why. I just can't shake it nor explain it. Almost like even what the police were told or may think is not accurate. I know I am not making sense but I just can't explain why I think this because I'm unsure why I do. Something just isn't sitting right.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

It bothers me too. Mostly because I personally 100% believe Michael was abducted by a stranger. I certainly don't know either. But I don't like that we're 6 months in now and STILL the ONLY thing investigators have confirmed is the date, time, and location of his disappearance. Nothing else. Any other information has come from family and neighbors.

Either they have a VERY good reason for keeping this so close. Or they're small town PD from podunk Idaho with no clue. (I can say that, being that I'm from podunk Idaho myself...) I go back and forth. They brought in the state police and the FBI, which makes me think its the former. But then, they literally admitted that they had done no outreach outside the local area except for some fliers...which makes me think the latter. This and more makes me go back and forth.

Personally I think the Honda Pilot is the key here. I just keep thinking of the vehicle seen leaving the Cleo Smith campsite. LE there were able to do some great investigating and find their suspect. Not sure what's being done in this case.

 

[GrandmaBear]

It bothers me too. Mostly because I personally 100% believe Michael was abducted by a stranger. I certainly don't know either. But I don't like that we're 6 months in now and STILL the ONLY thing investigators have confirmed is the date, time, and location of his disappearance. Nothing else. Any other information has come from family and neighbors.

Either they have a VERY good reason for keeping this so close. Or they're small town PD from podunk Idaho with no clue. (I can say that, being that I'm from podunk Idaho myself...) I go back and forth. They brought in the state police and the FBI, which makes me think its the former. But then, they literally admitted that they had done no outreach outside the local area except for some fliers...which makes me think the latter. This and more makes me go back and forth.

Personally I think the Honda Pilot is the key here. I just keep thinking of the vehicle seen leaving the Cleo Smith campsite. LE there were able to do some great investigating and find their suspect. Not sure what's being done in this case.

You've touched on I think part of what bothers me and that is neighbor and family accounts. It seems to be taken as fact but LE hasn't confirmed all if anything. If just one neighbor is not truthful or has something wrong, maybe that's what bothers me. If he didn't go in one direction thought or wasn't seen here or there, etc.. I just feel something is wrong...

I'm not convinced he was abducted but I'm not saying I doubt it either. It just plays into the same thing and reasons. If just one thing is wrong then a lot changes or could.

I know what you mean about one would think with the FBI, etc. involved, they are just keeping things close but even so, one has to wonder.

I was impressed with the work in Cleo's' case and the more recent one in Australia. I feel they access video and more a whole lot faster than it happens here generally. I get laws and warrants and some reasons but still there are some cases it is weeks and then the video is written over... Where a missing child is concerned particularly, I think finding them fast should rule over most other things. Red tape maybe needs to be cut through in certain circumstances or maybe if it meets a set of criteria they could come up with here. I'd like to see the kind of rapid results they seem to have "down under". They also seem to get phone, GPS and a lot of things in the first days or at least week.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Search for Michael Vaughan hits six month mark

The ongoing search for a Fruitland boy has now eclipsed the six-month mark.

www.kmvt.com

Search for Michael Vaughan hits six month mark​

The ongoing search for a Fruitland boy has now eclipsed the six-month mark.

Michael Vaughan has been missing from his home since July when he vanished from a neighborhood in the city of roughly 5,300. Since he disappeared, detectives have followed more than 700 leads.

A reward of more than $52,000 has been offered for his safe return, and his family says they have not given up hope. If you have any info, you are urged to call local police.

Thursday marks six months since disappearance of five-year-old Michael Vaughan

Michael was last seen at about 6:30 p.m. July 27 around SW 9th Street. He is described as 3 feet, 7 inches tall; about 50 pounds; with blond hair and blue eyes.

www.ktvb.com

Thursday marks six months since disappearance of five-year-old Michael Vaughan​

On Thursday, Jan. 27, it will have been six months since Michael Vaughan of Fruitland disappeared.

In a statement sent to KTVB Wednesday, Fruitland Police Department (FPD) Chief J.D. Huff said it continues to work with Michael's family and an update on the investigation will be released Friday via FPD's Facebook.

"We too are battling Covid, which cause low staffing levels," Huff said. "I intend to put out another Facebook update on Friday, but I don't have a lot that I can share. The Fruitland Police Detectives and all of our law enforcement partners assigned to FPD continue working with the family to find Michael every day. We obviously run into some delays when working through legal processes to gather data and other information, but our efforts remain steadfast."

In a Jan. 28 Facebook post, the Fruitland Police Department wrote that they are continuing to investigate tips and follow up on leads. The reward for Michael's safe return is now up to $52,860.

"Over the last month, we've focused on leads that continue to come in from around the Northwest and indeed, the world. Our investigators have covered a lot of ground investigating credible leads to completion with several being actively worked on," the post read. 'Every lead offers a new direction and we continue to follow them with vigor. The number of leads received is currently 830 with more coming in daily. Our ground searches have been suspended due to winter weather conditions, but if a credible lead sends us to a forest or a field, we will go."

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

City of Fruitland Police | Coeur d'Alene ID

City of Fruitland Police, Fruitland. 7,558 likes · 1,038 talking about this · 25 were here. Welcome to the Fruitland Police Department.

www.facebook.com

1/27/2022
Update: The Search for Michael Joseph Vaughan.

It has been six months since Michael Joseph Vaughan went missing. The Fruitland Police Department, with assistance from surrounding agencies, the Idaho State Police, and the FBI have continued to search for 5-year-old Michael Joseph Vaughan continuously since July 27, 2021. We do not yet know what happened to cause Michael’s disappearance. Michael’s information has been shared with law enforcement nationwide. Search efforts have involved local police agencies, professional search and rescue units, and community volunteers, and we’ve searched with helicopters, drones, boats, divers, dogs, and walked step by careful step through fields, river, and canal banks.

Over the last month, we’ve focused on leads that continue to come in from around the Northwest and indeed, the world. Our investigators have covered a lot of ground investigating credible leads to completion with several being actively worked on. Every lead offers a new direction and we continue to follow them with vigor. The number of leads received is currently 830 with more coming in daily. Our ground searches have been suspended due to winter weather conditions, but if a credible lead sends us to a forest or a field, we will go.

As most of you know, to keep our community updated, the Fruitland Police Department has held multiple press briefings, and we’re grateful to our local media for covering the search for Michael in stories that have been shared nationwide, even internationally. We’ve seen the poster of Michael from the City of Fruitland webpage shared countless times via media and social media. We do ask that the official poster from the Fruitland Police Department and the Idaho Missing Persons Clearinghouse be the poster that is shared as it will consistently share the same information that would be recognizable to law enforcement nationwide. You can find Michael’s poster at https://www.fruitland.org/index.asp... .

Tips can be sent to findmichael@fruitland.org or to Crime Stoppers, 343COPS.com. Tips may remain anonymous.

To those who stand strong and continue to support both Michael’s family and the efforts of law enforcement to find Michael, thank you. You’re helping us avoid conjecture and keep the focus on finding this little boy. Please know, while not all investigative efforts can be made public, our focus remains strongly on finding Michael with no stone being left unturned, every option carefully considered, and all leads investigated.

The reward for Michael’s safe return is now $52,860.00. Every donation is appreciated. This fund is being held in an account with the City of Fruitland and has been reactivated until March 31, 2022. The fund is given sunset dates to provide accountability and urgency. If someone has or learns of information that can help find Michael, we want that information now.

This Facebook page is the only source for credible first-hand information in this case. Please continue to follow this page for more updates as they’re available.

Please keep Michael, his family, and the investigators working to bring him home in your prayers. Thank you.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Fruitland mother to son who's been missing for six months: 'I will never give up'

A Fruitland area mom is pleading for your help. Six months ago, 5-year-old Michael Joseph Vaughan disappeared. Despite months of searching, there's still no sign of her little boy. But the community of Fruitland and his family refuse to give up hope. Those six months feel like an eternity for...

idahonews.com

Fruitland mother to son who's been missing for six months: 'I will never give up'
A Fruitland area mom is pleading for your help.

Six months ago, 5-year-old Michael Joseph Vaughan disappeared. Despite months of searching, there's still no sign of her little boy.

But the community of Fruitland and his family refuse to give up hope. Those six months feel like an eternity for the boy's mother, Brandi Neal.

"This is the most unimaginable and worst nightmare any human being could go through," Neal told CBS2.

"It's not OK, it's been way too long," she said. "It doesn't feel like six months. It feels like, honestly, feels like an eternity."

"I don't understand why this happened and how could this happen," she said.

Not a day goes by without Brandi thinking about Michael. His monster trucks still lay in their living room and his Spider-Man action figure still sits in the chair.

"I miss him jumping off the couch. I miss hi momma. I miss his hugs. I miss him jumping on me and hanging off of his dad. I miss him climbing on poppa's lap while they watch football."

As the days go by and Brandi waits, she says she will never stop looking for her little boy.

"I won't give up until you are right here," she said. "You are with us. I will never give up."

The day she sees him once again, she's never letting go.

"I love you baby, and I promise, I promise that I'm going to hold you and I'm never letting you go."

 

[GrandmaBear]

Delays with working through legal processes... I wonder with what... It's over six months, that's a long time to await things.

 

[mv5ftmb]

I'd be willing to bet they are still waiting on or have just recently received cell phone data/ GPS from vehicles. You'd be surprised how long some of these requests take depending on who the cell carrier is.

 

[kdg411]

I'd be willing to bet they are still waiting on or have just recently received cell phone data/ GPS from vehicles. You'd be surprised how long some of these requests take depending on who the cell carrier is.

I would like to think so as well & hope LE is keeping details close to the vest.

By the way,

 

[GrandmaBear]

Hopefully but they aren't moving things as fast as possible then with the thought he may be alive and they need to get to him and save him asap. I can help but think of the recent Australia cases and I mentioned it a few times that boy they have camera footage and cell phone info, triangulation, GPS, etc. in no time flat. Something needs to change here and their speed really points out how bad is here. Months to get info when someone's life is at stake and especially a child smh.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

It's been 226 days since 5-year-old Michael Vaughan went missing

It's been a long 226 days for a Fruitland family that continues to hope for the safe return of five-year-old Michael Vaughan. CBS2 is in contact with Fruitland police on a weekly basis on this case. The Police Chief tells us Officers continue to work through leads, though those leads have slowed...

idahonews.com

It's been 226 days since 5-year-old Michael Vaughan disappeared
It's been a long 226 days for a Fruitland family that continues to hope for the safe return of five-year-old Michael Vaughan.

The Police Chief tells us Officers continue to work through leads, though those leads have slowed a bit.

They have received 845 leads since Michael disappeared on July 27th, 2021.

Meanwhile, investigators continue to gather new data and closely examine it.

Police tell IdahoNews.com the FBI has been involved in the case, even working out of the Fruitland Police Department.

They also say the Vaughan family remains very cooperative.

Investigators still don't know the cause of his disappearance.

 

[Miccistella]

I think this case will always bug me......

for the feeling is that it is close to home...... I can't explain why... there are just too many things off....

one of the things I believe (and I hope I am right) is that LE has a good idea but can't prove it....

maybe wishful thinking but my feeling about little Monkey keeps the same...

 

[GrandmaBear]

I think this case will always bug me......

for the feeling is that it is close to home...... I can't explain why... there are just too many things off....

one of the things I believe (and I hope I am right) is that LE has a good idea but can't prove it....

maybe wishful thinking but my feeling about little Monkey keeps the same...

I do too. I can't put my finger on what it is. Someone is lying or someone has something wrong... And that one thing (ore more) whether intentional or mistaken is throwing the entire picture off. That is my best guess or words for what I feel in this one...

Sometimes I tell myself it is just that we don't know enough normal details of the day or history or usual ways of the family or child, etc... But it is more than that...

I'm not saying it is family, I'm not saying it is a neighbor or anyone else, I don't know, but something was gotten wrong in this one... Or someone is lying or mistaken... I truly don't think this was some random stranger abduction...

I HOPE you are right about LE having a good idea, I don't know if I feel that or not...

I do think though it is close to home...

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Missing Fruitland boy's case sparks pending legislation

BOISE — When 5-year-old Michael Vaughan went missing from Fruitland in July, authorities didn’t issue an Amber Alert. Nearly eight months later, he still hasn’t been found.

www.idahopress.com

Missing Fruitland boy's case sparks pending legislation​

When 5-year-old Michael Vaughan went missing from Fruitland in July, authorities didn't issue an Amber alert. Nearly eight months later, he still hasn't been found.

Now, pending Idaho Senate legislation is working to develop an alert that would help if a similar instance takes place again.

When Brandi Neal, Vaughan’s mother, heard SB 1378 was moving through the legislature, she said she was in tears.

“I want everybody to contact their representatives (to pass the bill), because what if this happened to one of their family members?" Neal said. "What if this happened to their baby?”

The bill unanimously passed the House Judiciary committee on Monday, with a "do-pass" recommendation for the House.



In the months that followed, community members supportive of the family rallied on social media for a cell phone alert of some kind that would have immediately notified the public of Michael Vaughan's disappearance.

He did not meet the state's criteria for an Amber alert, in large part because it was not known if he had been abducted.

People in Fruitland and beyond argued that this may have hindered the ability to find him.

“The Amber alert would have greatly helped Michael's case,” Neal said.

Neal said Fruitland police and the lead detective on her son's case fought for an Amber alert the night he went missing — one around 8 p.m. and one around 11 p.m.

“The highest probability at the time of notification was that he wandered off,” J.D. Huff, the Fruitland police chief, said in an email to the Idaho Press in December. “As a result, we did not meet several of the criteria necessary for the Amber alert. I’m sorry to report that we still do not meet the criteria.”

According to Lee and her co-sponsor for the bill, Rep. Ryan Kerby, R-New Plymouth, every state in the Northwest has an Endangered Missing Persons Alert except for Idaho. The state has a “code red” alert, a type of emergency notification that was sent out when Vaughan disappeared. However, community members must be signed up to receive it on their phones — which is why some may have not have known about his disappearance until much later.

The new bill would allow Amber alerts to stand alone, while discarding some of the other alert systems to consolidate a missing or endangered person alert into one Endangered Missing Persons Alert system.

Kerby said in committee that the bill would create a centralized communication system.

The new system, if implemented, would allow Idaho to communicate with surrounding states that also use the system in case a missing person were to cross state lines.

Additionally, three other citizens in support of the bill testified in committee, citing specific individuals that could be helped by the implementation of the bill. Those individuals include:

• Those with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
• Domestic violence survivors and victims
• Missing Indigenous people
• Those with developmental disabilities
• Human trafficking survivors and victims

Nobody testified against the bill.

“We want an Amber alert for Michael,” Neal said. “But whether or not that's going to happen, this is the next best step.”

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Idaho House passes missing person alert bill with no debate

SB 1378 would create an all-encompassing alert called an Endangered Missing Person Alert to notify those in Idaho and surrounding states about a missing person.

www.ktvb.com

Idaho House passes missing person alert bill with no debate​

When Sen. Abby Lee, R-Fruitland, and Rep. Ryan Kerby, R-New Plymouth, introduced SB 1378 in the Idaho Legislature, they referenced the missing Fruitland boy who disappeared nearly eight months ago.

The House passed SB 1378 on Tuesday, which would create an all-encompassing alert called an Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA) to notify those in Idaho and surrounding states about a missing person.


“If this program had been implemented earlier, it would have been one tool to maybe find the little boy out in Fruitland that went missing,” Syme said.

The bill passed 46-18.

SB 1378 is now headed to the governor’s desk for signature.

 

[GrandmaBear]

There is no excuse for a country like ours not to have something in place NATIONALLY which I guess we have all come to learn the Amber Alert really isn't. I don't mean as to how far it is released or sent out BUT that all states have one system, etc. when it comes to minor children. And missing people. And national databases and more. States having some or a lot of autonomy is great in one respect but it also causes a lot of problems in many other respects, jurisdictional and more.

Imo we really got a taste of it with Covid in how states differ and we also saw it with Georgia having no hate crime law in Arbery.

Lots of various things. I'm not saying federal should impose everything over states because Lord knows it would be abused and I don't want to see that but when it comes to things like missing children, why don't they DO SOMETHING or the GOOD THINGS for all. Money is squandered or pocketed on everything else. No money to protect those government is supposed to serve.

It is volunteers and orgs that do search parties, raise money, get the word out, etc. Our MEDIA should be required to for one and more imo.

 

[kdg411]

Fruitland Police provide update on the search for Michael Vaughan

The Fruitland Police Department said it has received nearly 850 leads on Michael's disappearance and the reward for Michael's safe return is now $52,860.

www.ktvb.com

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Missing for 8 Months; Still no Sign of Southern Idaho 5-Year-Old

FRUTILAND - It has been eight months since Michael Joseph Vaughan went missing.

www.bigcountrynewsconnection.com

Missing for 8 Months; Still no Sign of Southern Idaho 5-Year-Old​

It has been eight months since Michael Joseph Vaughan went missing.

The Fruitland Police Department, the Idaho State Police and the FBI continue to search for the 5-year-old, who has been missing since the evening of July 27, 2021. "Since then, our investigators continue to work to determine just what happened during the time leading up to Michael’s disappearance. We have received nearly 850 leads and nearly all have been cleared. We are working through newly obtained data from that time frame and are hopeful that will produce new leads. This is an exhaustive, labor intensive task," said an update from the Fruitland Police Department on Thursday.

The search for Michael has seen several phases, and after multiple ground searches in and around the area, and across the State of Idaho, police say Michael was likely abducted.

"Although we have been working the potential criminal abduction aspect since the time Michael went missing, it became our primary focus several months ago. Due to the fact that this is a criminal investigation we are limited in the information that can be shared. At this time we have no intention of coordinating another ground search as the entire area has been searched multiple times by local police agencies, professional search and rescue units, community volunteers, helicopters, drones, boats, divers, professional K9 units. These areas have been walked step by careful step and if a credible lead sends us back to that area or to a forest, a field, or anywhere, we will go," said the police statement.

A white Honda Pilot mentioned by police in an earlier update has not been identified, but police say they feel strongly that we know who it belongs to, and continue to seek confirmation on the vehicle.

Tips can be sent to findmichael@fruitland.org or to the Crime Stoppers website at 343COPS.com. Tips may remain anonymous. The reward for Michael’s safe return is now $52,860.00.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Missing for 8 Months; Still no Sign of Southern Idaho 5-Year-Old

FRUTILAND - It has been eight months since Michael Joseph Vaughan went missing.

www.bigcountrynewsconnection.com

Missing for 8 Months; Still no Sign of Southern Idaho 5-Year-Old​

It has been eight months since Michael Joseph Vaughan went missing.

The Fruitland Police Department, the Idaho State Police and the FBI continue to search for the 5-year-old, who has been missing since the evening of July 27, 2021. "Since then, our investigators continue to work to determine just what happened during the time leading up to Michael’s disappearance. We have received nearly 850 leads and nearly all have been cleared. We are working through newly obtained data from that time frame and are hopeful that will produce new leads. This is an exhaustive, labor intensive task," said an update from the Fruitland Police Department on Thursday.

The search for Michael has seen several phases, and after multiple ground searches in and around the area, and across the State of Idaho, police say Michael was likely abducted.

"Although we have been working the potential criminal abduction aspect since the time Michael went missing, it became our primary focus several months ago. Due to the fact that this is a criminal investigation we are limited in the information that can be shared. At this time we have no intention of coordinating another ground search as the entire area has been searched multiple times by local police agencies, professional search and rescue units, community volunteers, helicopters, drones, boats, divers, professional K9 units. These areas have been walked step by careful step and if a credible lead sends us back to that area or to a forest, a field, or anywhere, we will go," said the police statement.

A white Honda Pilot mentioned by police in an earlier update has not been identified, but police say they feel strongly that we know who it belongs to, and continue to seek confirmation on the vehicle.

Tips can be sent to findmichael@fruitland.org or to the Crime Stoppers website at 343COPS.com. Tips may remain anonymous. The reward for Michael’s safe return is now $52,860.00.

The bolded statement is an odd one...