7/28/2010 9:44:00 AM Officials continue search for 2-year-old boy missing from campground
Two search and rescue volunteers leave the roadblock about 1/4 to 1/2 mile from the Beaver Creek Campground as Yavapai County Sheriff’s Deputies as well as Search and Rescue volunteers and others search for 2-year-old Syler Newton near the Beaver Creek Campground in the Coconino National Forest near Sedona Monday morning.
Photo courtesy Les Stukenberg
The search for a missing 2-year-old Flagstaff boy pressed on Monday as authorities also began looking into his family.
Yavapai County Sheriff's Spokesperson Dwight D'Evelyn said more than 50 search and rescue people are combing through the Beaver Creek Campground area for Syler Newton. He said Monday's search was cut back a bit to allow a couple of bloodhounds to roam freely in the area and try and pick up Syler's scent.
A few police volunteers were on patrol keeping a tight lid on access to the campsite off Forest Road 618, which is off limits between junctions 121 and 215.
A Department of Public Safety helicopter and the Yavapai Jeep Posse are among the resources going through the rough terrain under hot and humid weather conditions, according to D'Evelyn, who said the Sheriff's Office also is looking at items from the campsite.
"We're processing contents from their campsite that were removed yesterday, including a couple of vehicles just to see if there is any evidence that might help us understand why Syler is missing, whether he wandered off or there is some indication of foul play," he said.
The search for Syler began early Sunday after his family discovered he was missing from his sleeping bag.
Syler is about 3-feet tall and weighs about 20 pounds and was last seen wearing only a diaper.
Meanwhile, D'Eveyln said part of the investigation is focusing on Syler's family.
He said the woman who initially identified herself as Syler's mother, is actually his custodial mother and is trying to adopt Syler.
D'Evelyn said they identified the biological mother, who lives out of state.
"We're trying to reach her to find out what the situation is and the relationship and if that has any role in any of this," he said. "There is no indication from all the campers we interviewed, from the family that was with Syler that he had been snatched from the campsite, but everything is in the realm of possibility now, especially the longer it takes to find him."
At 3,800 feet in elevation and located 47 miles south of Flagstaff, the Beaver Creek Campground is sheltered by a stand of cottonwoods and Arizona sycamores clustered on the banks of Wet Beaver Creek. Its characteristic rock gardens of prickly pear cactus and banana yucca provide a sharp contrast to the lush riparian zone along the creek. Wet Beaver Campground is located just three miles off paved road from Interstate 17.
Anyone with information regarding Syler's location, please contact the Sheriff's Office at 771-3260.
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