COOS COUNTY, Ore. — UPDATE (November 12, 2024): The body of Joshua James McCoy was found by searchers approximately 2.5 miles from the boy’s home. Updated Story here.

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Original story:

HAUSER, Ore. – The investigation into a missing five-year-old boy is expanding.

Joshua McCoy went missing from Hauser on the morning of Nov. 9, according to the Coos County Sheriff’s Office. CCSO said Joshua took a nap with his mother around 1 p.m., and when his mother woke up at 5:30, he was missing.

Sheriff Gabe Fabrizio said authorities immediately began searching for McCoy.

“Joshua was reported missing after sunset on November 9th. The Coos County Sheriff’s Office immediately dispatched a Deputy to conduct an initial assessment,” CCSO said. he said. “Local teams began searching the area and their work intensified on the morning of November 10.”

“I don’t think it was reported until after dark that evening. We started around 11:30 (Saturday) until the sun came up. “They were searching there and did a pretty extensive gray pattern search (on Sunday),” he said.

As of Monday, CORSAR, a joint search and rescue effort of 7 counties in Oregon and California, continued the search with 61 ground personnel, air support and K9 resources. The Coos County Sheriff’s Office has also requested assistance from State and Federal agencies, with additional resources expected to arrive tomorrow, November 12.

61 search officers from across Oregon and California were on the scene Monday. Search teams deployed K-9s, drones, general support officers and law enforcement. But as of Monday, no clues had been found.

“They are searching there. They are doing their best there. If they find anything that could be a clue to Josh’s location, they will report all evidence. We don’t need civilian search officers right now. “The area is quite small and crowded,” Fabrizio said. “We have requested and received support from both state and federal agencies. We will pursue them.”

Fabrizio said the reason law enforcement is asking the public not to help with the investigation is because it could make the search more difficult and destroy evidence in the investigation.

“Almost always the person is within 300 meters of the last known location, and we are already well beyond the 300-meter point,” he said.

Fabrizio said law enforcement can still ask the public for help, but it’s up to search and rescue teams on the scene to make that decision.

“While citizens’ offers of assistance are greatly appreciated, the search area has limited capacity and the concern is that evidence may be missed or tainted due to the large number of personnel on scene,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a press release. he said.

The Coos County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to avoid the area near Stage Rd. At Hauser.

“Nothing is being ruled out at this time as we are evaluating all possible avenues,” CCSO said. “We remain hopeful that Joshua will be found alive and well.”