A missing boy from Buckeye, Arizona, has been the target of authorities and local community members for the past several days.
Jesse Wilson, 10, was first reported missing July 18 by the Buckeye Police Department. He was last seen in his room on July 17 at 9:30 p.m. It was determined Jesse exited the resident through his bedroom window, police said.
Police and civilian groups split into groups on July 21 to try to locate Wilson. Experienced hikers were asked to focus on the rougher terrain around Wilson’s home, while around 40 people searched in the Skyline National Park, half a mile from his home.
“I can’t even imagine the feeling of having a lost child ... the uncertainty of the outcome,” Charles Brown, a Buckeye resident and search volunteer, told the Arizona Republic. “Hopefully this will turn out fine.”
Volunteers continued to search despite the search being called off early on Wednesday due to extreme heat. An excessive heat warning was issued this week for central Arizona and will remain in effect until Saturday night.
Police are very thankful for the help, mentioning in a Facebook post that an area that would have taken police personnel a week or more to cover was covered within a day by volunteers.
The Buckeye SWAT team and the Arizona Rangers law enforcement support group also joined Thursday’s effort, which concluded at 10 a.m.
The Buckeye Police Department said Jesse has been known to leave his house in this fashion before, but had never been gone for an extended period of time. Foul play has not been ruled out in this case, police said according to KPNX.
Wilson is four feet tall and weighs 60 pounds. He was last seen wearing a red shirt, unknown color shorts, black socks, and black shoes.
Anyone with information on Wilson’s whereabouts is asked to call the Buckeye Police Department on 623-349-6400.
