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

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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."

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

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Why an AMBER Alert wasn't issued for missing Fruitland boy​

"If something comes outside the criteria that we're not able to issue an AMBER Alert, we do an Endangered Missing Person Alert," said Tanea Parmenter, the AMBER Alert Coordinator for Idaho State Police.

ISP said the Endangered Missing Person Alert used for Michael has almost all the same tools as an AMBER Alert. Notifications are sent through email, text messages, social media posts and the alerting program, CodeRED. AMBER Alerts use road signs and send phone alerts that provide suspect and vehicle descriptions in the case of an abducted child.

"Payette County has done a really great job as they have tools in their toolbox as well to find children," Parmenter said.

According to Payette County Sheriff's Office, the county issued a CodeRED to residents in the Hidden Meadow Subdivision in Fruitland at 8:18 p.m. Tuesday. It was later expanded across the whole county at 9:40 p.m.

"When we have an endangerment factor due to age, circumstance, imminent danger of bodily harm or death, we want to make sure that we're notifying the community and the public that they need to help us find that child or missing person," Parmenter said.

While there are no criteria that need to be met for a timeline to issue an endangered missing person alert, ISP said time is always important in cases such as Michael's.

"As soon as we can get people looking and eyes out, we have a higher chance of recovery for the child," Parmenter said.
 
I am praying that he is found safe…

though concerned that there are no circumstances mentioned…,

Micci
Yep. Now more than 24 hours later still so little info other than he's missing and they're looking.
I'm glad they got the local alerts sent out to the neighborhood and county quickly, though. Lots of searching. I hope they find him quickly.
Trying to not speculate with so few details.
 
Yep. Now more than 24 hours later still so little info other than he's missing and they're looking.
I'm glad they got the local alerts sent out to the neighborhood and county quickly, though. Lots of searching. I hope they find him quickly.
Trying to not speculate with so few details.

basically nothing to be found…
Questions I have right now…

who called him in missing…?

why does LE think he is endangered (for me missing kids are always in danger, but how LE put it is cause to even more concern…)…

parents are not mentioned (I pray that they are not involved… aside of having to go through this..)

was he in anyone’s company..?

I am just glad that so many are looking for him….
 
Update (7/29): Anyone who can assist with the search for Michael Vaughan can meet on July 29 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the southern parking lot of Fruitland High School to join a community search.

Search continues this morning for missing boy​

A 5-year-old boy from Fruitland remains missing and the Fruitland Police Department is coordinating citizen search efforts beginning this morning at 9 a.m. in the southern parking lot of the Fruitland High School. The efforts will stretch to 1 p.m. and police will pass out search assignments to those who join and are urging those who are willing to participate and organize with the agency.

"If you choose to conduct your own search effort, we are asking you to respect the property owners and contact them prior to searching," reads a news release sent at about 10 p.m. Wednesday.


On Wednesday, multiple law enforcement agencies, including Idaho State Police, joined Fruitland Police in search efforts. This search included "the methodical search of residences near the home and continued searches of the area by K-9 units and Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue Team," states the release.

Additionally the U.S. Army National Guard deployed a helicopter, searching the entire area in cooperation with those on the ground. Also, as part of the search, water levels in area canals were reduced and searched by law enforcement K-9 and fire personnel, according to the release.

"Confident that the immediate area was thoroughly searched, the Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue Team was released," it states.

"The Fruitland Police Department would like to extend a sincere thanks to all of our partner first responders and our community for taking the time to help us thoroughly search the area," reads the release, additionally noting that "public support for the teams involved in this search has truly been unmatched."

As the investigation continues, police urge the community to continue to help with locating Michael by remaining vigilant and observant. Property owners, again, are urged to thoroughly search their properties and security camera footage.

“Please check your crawl spaces, sheds, trailers and vehicles, and any other place a five year old might hide or become stuck,” reads a post on the Fruitland Police Department from Wednesday night.
 
In addition to state and local law enforcement and crews from the Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue Team, the Army National Guard sent a helicopter to search the area where the child went missing. The agencies searched nearby canals while water levels were lower and did not find the child. Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue was then released, as authorities believe the area surrounding the home was thoroughly searched.


FACEBOOK - Michael Vaughan 🔍 Idaho - Missing Child Search Updates & Discussion
 
In addition to state and local law enforcement and crews from the Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue Team, the Army National Guard sent a helicopter to search the area where the child went missing. The agencies searched nearby canals while water levels were lower and did not find the child. Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue was then released, as authorities believe the area surrounding the home was thoroughly searched.


FACEBOOK - Michael Vaughan 🔍 Idaho - Missing Child Search Updates & Discussion

Just read through that FB page…. Very confusing….
 
Just read through that FB page…. Very confusing….
It's extremely unorganized. People posting whatever the heck they think is relevant. "Psychic" info. Ideas on where they think searchers should be looking. Screenshots of various posts from other places. Articles.

I didn't really see much of anything relevant. Though one woman claiming to be a neighbor said he was at her house prior to going missing. Apparently "very social". One says he's "notorious for sneaking away" and another says he "does not ever go far". About what you'd expect from random people posting on Facebook.
 
It's extremely unorganized. People posting whatever the heck they think is relevant. "Psychic" info. Ideas on where they think searchers should be looking. Screenshots of various posts from other places. Articles.

I didn't really see much of anything relevant. Though one woman claiming to be a neighbor said he was at her house prior to going missing. Apparently "very social". One says he's "notorious for sneaking away" and another says he "does not ever go far". About what you'd expect from random people posting on Facebook.

agreed… and I still don’t think it is clear when the “babysitter” was there or not…

if he was inside, why wasn’t the door locked… why is he being sent home alone… he is only 5…

All in consideration that these statements are true…
 

Community searches for Fruitland boy still missing after two days​

A massive community effort is still underway to find a missing 5-year-old boy in Fruitland. Michael Vaughan disappeared on Tuesday night.


Thursday was the second full day and the community come out in a big way to assist in the search.

People from all over Payette County, eastern Oregon and Boise were out searching Thursday. It was an incredible effort to see.

Officials said by the end of the day they’ll have every inch of the city covered.


She said Michael’s grandfather asked her to share this statement:

"He wants the community to know that they are so very grateful for everybody coming out and mining these streets and looking for Monkey. The show from this community has been so amazing, there’s so much gratitude and thankfulness from the family and they wanted it to be known."

All this as the family is still waiting hoping for answers as to what happened to their little boy.

Huff said they are thankful to the community and the support. This is an ongoing investigation, so he couldn’t talk about specific details about this case. But he added another search is scheduled for Friday.
 
Around 100 people from Payette County, eastern Oregon and Boise teamed up for Thursday's community search to try to find 5-year-old Michael Joseph Vaughan, who was reported missing Tuesday night.

Thursday morning's search began at Fruitland High School and expanded into the city. Officials said they expected to have every inch of the city covered by the end of the day.

Some businesses, such as Idaho Pizza Company, closed on Thursday afternoon so its employees could join the search.

"It’s pretty incredible to know you’ve got a community and that much support when we need it," Fruitland Police Chief JD Huff said. "But it’s also a big challenge for us have to coordinate the efforts, where this isn’t something that happened in the city of Fruitland very often."
 

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