New Clues in Missing 5-Year-Old Boy Michael Vaughan in Idaho
Fruitland, Idaho (new nation) — Investigators are working on a new lead in the case of a missing 5-year-old Idaho boy.
Michael Vaughan was last seen in Fruitland, Idaho in July 2021.
Law enforcement officers combed the surrounding thousands of acres and sifted through hundreds of clues to find the child. The search has now taken authorities outside the Fruitland home, which is close to where Michael lived and was last seen.
Michael’s mother, Brandi Neal, described the rural farm city of Fruitland as a quiet, friendly and safe place. But on the night of July 27, 2021, when her five-year-old left home and walked down the street, that quiet corner of the world turned insane.
Neal said his son was looking for older neighborhood kids to play with.
“He went to a neighbor’s house, to another neighbor’s house, to another neighbor’s house,” said Neil.
Neil was working at the time and her husband was checking on the toddler and ordering dinner, so neither parent knew Michael had taken off.
A garden just four minutes from Michael’s house has now been excavated. Fruitland Police Chief said police had received information that Michael’s remains may be in the backyard of the house.
Fruitland Police and Idaho State Police use tractors, dogs, and trash cans in their backyards.
Hidden: A True Crime Podcast host and family spokesperson, Lauren Matthias, appeared on NewsNation Prime to discuss the latest developments in the case.
Matthias said the house being searched is very close to where the family lives. She said investigators were very slow and methodical in their investigation.
“They have backhoes, they have dogs, they load dirt into dump trucks and they go off and sift the dirt,” Matthias explained. “They certainly went to Neil’s house, Brandi’s house and told them this was happening yesterday morning. There’s a hint they’re looking for bodies.”
Matthias said he spoke with Neil early on Sunday.
“She’s not doing well. That’s a direct quote from her. We’re not okay. I had to tell his brother that he might not be coming home,” Matthias said. said.
Matthias said Michael’s family doesn’t know who the landscaping authorities are digging up.
“The couple who live there are both in custody now,” Matthias said.
According to Matthias, the couple have not been charged in connection with Michael’s disappearance. She said one of them had been in jail since she was around May and another was taken into custody on Friday.
Police have instructed Neil not to go into the yard being searched, but it is understandable that this is an emotional request to his mother.
“When law enforcement went to report to them today and let them know what was going on, they clearly told Brandi, ‘Don’t come to this house.’ She said, “This is my baby, this is my baby.” “She started crying when she said the word was still being used. She said, ‘I isn’t there yet I’m not ready to use the word yet there’s still hope I’m not ready to tell his brother that he’s not coming home yet
So far my searches haven’t found anything.
https://www.mystateline.com/news/police-follow-new-lead-in-disappearance-of-5-year-old-idaho-boy/ New Clues in Missing 5-Year-Old Boy Michael Vaughan in Idaho