EAGLE COUNTY, Colo. – An article of clothing belonging to a young boy who went missing Friday night in Eagle was found Saturday in the Eagle River and a phone he was carrying when he went missing was found in the river near the apartment complex at which he was last seen, the sheriff’s office said Sunday night.
More than 500 volunteers are estimated to have searched for 3-year-old Sebastian Castro, a boy with autism who disappeared near the Eagle Villas Apartments, which back up to the Eagle River, since he went missing Friday night.
The Eagle County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Sunday night that an article of clothing that was positively identified as belonging to the boy was found in the river. Search crews expanded downstream, and the phone he had when he went missing was found Sunday in the river below the apartment complex, the sheriff’s office said.
“Despite exhaustive efforts by both first responders and volunteers, we have been unable to find any other additional clues,” the sheriff’s office wrote in the release.
The ECSO said that it will consolidate search efforts toward the river starting Monday and that volunteer land-based searches would be suspended for the time being. Air operations will continue, the sheriff’s office said, and Vail Mountain Rescue will lead the water search efforts.
“We are tremendously grateful for everyone that donated their time and resources to this highly emotional search. We kindly ask that you respect the privacy of Sebastian’s family during this incredibly difficult time, and assure authorities will continue to follow up and work closely with the family on any and all leads,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Anybody with information can call the Eagle Police Department at 970-479-2201.
