Monday, July 26, 2010

Syler Newton Is Missing



Syler Newton disappeared early Sunday while camping with family.

Syler Newton has light-brown hair, blue eyes and was last seen wearing only a diaper. The three-foot-tall, 20-pound toddler was camping with family at the Beaver Creek Campground near Highway 179, off Interstate 17, said Dwight D'Evelyn, a Yavapai County Sheriff's spokesman.

Syler was last seen around midnight inside a tent while sleeping with his mother, grandmother, 12-year-old sister and 14-year-old brother.

A family member awoke about 1:45 a.m. Sunday and discovered the boy was missing from his sleeping bag. Family members searched the immediate area then called 911.

It's pretty hot and humid right now," D'Evelyn said. "The terrain and dehydration would be the critical concerns for us." About 50 search and rescue officials are on scene and an Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter searched from the region from above.

Officials are using ATVs and bloodhounds, which tracked the boys scent for a short distance but didn't find the toddler.

Sheriff's detectives are also present to determine whether "there is any evidence of foul play or any criminal aspects of the incident," D'Evelyn said. "That's routine, especially involving a missing 2-year-old. We want to make sure all our bases are covered."

Officials were also checking with local sex offenders in the area.

Anyone with information or knows of Syler's whereabouts is asked to contact the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office at 928-771-3260 or by calling 911.

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