'We just want our monkey home': Missing Fruitland boy's parents asks public for help

FRUITLAND, Idaho (CBS2) — The parents of the missing Fruitland boy asked for the public's help during a press conference Saturday.

Michael Joseph Vaughan was last seen Tuesday evening around 6:30 p.m. in the area of SW 9th and Arizona.

Michael is 43 inches tall and weighs 50 pounds. He was last seen wearing a blue Minecraft t-shirt with dark blue boxer briefs. He answers to the nickname of 'Monkey' and lives near the corner of SW 9th St and Arizona in Fruitland.

"I just want to thank you community and all of the agencies that have been continuously tirelessly looking for him. Anybody that has any information, please contact Fruitland PD. We just want our monkey home. We just miss our baby and want him home," Brandi Neal, Michael's mother, said.

Michael's father, Tyler Vaughan added, "Anything helps. Anything."

The press conference was held at 2 p.m. at Fruitland City Hall. The chief of police for the city of Fruitland, J.D. Huff, led the press conference.

At the conference, police said they want to talk to anyone who believes they were in the area of SW 8th St., SW 9th St., and Cornwall Way from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. on July 27.

"Operations to date include the methodical search of the area near Michael's residence which included two irrigation runoff ditches which were drained by the Fruitland Public Works Department and an extensive search and rescue effort including the use of K9's, aerial, and marine and land support," Officer Huff said.

Extensive searches of the area involving Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue, the Idaho National Guard, Police, EMS, Fire, and the community have so far been unsuccessful.

"If you live in the immediate area please thoroughly search your property to include any outbuildings, vehicles, anything that a 5-year-old could get into," Officer Huff said.

Police also asked the public to search their security cameras for any video pertaining to the case.

Investigating a missing child is resource-intensive, according to Huff. The community is asked to only report information from credible sources to law enforcement.

The public has been extremely helpful to investigators so far. The outpouring of community support has been overwhelming in this case.

"We are very grateful for the public's assistance and are following up on each lead we receive," Huff added. "We are committed to finding Michael and will leave no stone unturned."

If you have any information contact the Payette County Sheriff's office at 208-642-6006, Ext. 0.