A county-wide search is still underway for a 9-year-old boy who went missing late Wednesday night, the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s office said.
“At this point in time we do not suspect any foul play,” Hillsdale County Sheriff Tim Parker said in a video interview. “However, we just don’t have any clues as to where he is.”
Police said that they received a call from Tanya Lyon at 9:04 p.m, saying that she had just returned home from work and her son Jace Landon Lyon was missing from their residence at 1611 E. Moore Road, in Fayette Township.
Parker said in the video that Tanya Lyon received a call from Jace around 6:30 p.m. saying that he was home, and was going to make some dinner. Parker said that Tanya Lyon typically calls her son every 30 minutes to check in, but he didn’t pick-up the phone when she attempted to call back several times.
Parker said that Jace Lyon has run away from home several times.
“He has been described as a very smart child, a very intelligent child, and very resourceful. And able to do things that a normal 9-year-old couldn’t do on their own. He has run away from home in the past,” Parker said in the video. “She’s had some troubles with the child previously.”
Police said they searched the premises and nearby houses, immediately after Tanya Lyon’s call. After not being able to locate Jace Lyon, the Sheriff’s office called in their mounted-horse division as well as a K-9 unit from the Michigan State Police.
Hillsdale College security said they were also recruited to assist in the search. Late Wednesday evening they searched all throughout Hayden Park as well as all of the park’s facilities.
Officers called off the search at 5 a.m. and resumed earlier this morning. Hillsdale College security officer Jim Foyle said that as of noon on Thursday, Director of Security William Whorley and other officers were still searching, specifically around Half Moon Lake Road and Mauck Road.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is also currently assisting with the search. DNR officer Joe Kellam teaches a wilderness survival class on Hillsdale’s campus. But Senior Frank Bruno said the first scheduled class for the wilderness survival course was canceled because Kellam was assisting with the search.
In a press release, the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Office described Jayce as a white male, approximately 4 feet and 2 inches and weighing 55 pounds. He has brown hair, blue eyes, and has a 1-inch scar on the left side of his head. Jace was last seen wearing a bright blue winter coat with a neon-yellow reflective stripe, black jeans and blue tennis shoes.
Civilians who want to assist in the search or if anyone has any information regarding Jace Lyon’s whereabouts are advised to contact the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Office at 517-437-7317.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
