EAGLE COUNTY, Colo. — The search for a missing 3-year-old boy with autism has shifted its focus to the river, with no land-based searches taking place, according to the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office.
Sebastian Rodriguez Castro was last seen at his apartment in Eagle on Friday. Over the weekend, hundreds of volunteers searched the land around the Eagle River for the boy.
The Vail Police Department conducted a pre-dawn thermal drone mission Monday morning, with no success.
Vail Mountain Rescue ran five search trips down the river in rafts Monday morning, followed by searchers in kayaks this afternoon. They were unable to locate any additional clues that might help locate the boy, a spokesperson for Eagle County said in a Facebook update. Ten spots have been identified where conditions are too dangerous, and can only be searched once river levels have subsided, the update said.
A dog team deployed Tuesday morning to conduct searches on several sections of the river as well. No land-based searches will be taking place.
Garfield County Search and Rescue utilized its motor boat along the shore lines from Dotsero into Glenwood Canyon and back.
Two other boats from Vail Mountain Rescue and a drone team were also used Tuesday.
Castro was last seen about 9:30 p.m. Friday at Eagle Villas Apartments, when a boy fitting his description was spotted on the playground outside.
Castro has brown hair and eyes, and was wearing a red shirt, red shoes and ripped blue jeans. He is autistic and non-verbal, and he's not comfortable with adults he doesn't know, according to Eagle Police.
The family was asking that anyone helping to look for Castro to not scream, yell or shout his name. He responds well to children's songs and animal noises, and loves colorful things, water and insects, police said.
Late Saturday, an article of clothing belonging to Sebastian was found in the Eagle River. Because of that, the search area was expanded to include additional downstream areas, according to the release. The phone he was carrying when he went missing was found Sunday in the river below the apartment complex. No other clues have been found.
Land-based searches have been extensive, the release said, both in town and all surrounding areas.
According to the online sign-up page on Eagle County's website, all volunteer needs have been met due to an outpouring of support from the community.
Anyone with information that may help with locating Castro is asked to call 970-445-4911 or send an email to eaglecountypio@gmail.com.
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