Time 'Beyond Critical' For Missing Jefferson City Boy: Police

JEFFERSON CITY, MO — Four-year-old Darnell Gray went missing in Jefferson City, Missouri, on October 25, and there is an $11,000 reward if you can help bring him home.

Police said Darnell was last seen Wednesday near his family's apartment in the 1100 block of Buena Vista Street. The boy's coat and backpack also appeared to be missing, as were some snacks: two juice boxes and cookies.

Authorities did not send an amber alert, they said, because they do not believe he was abducted. It appears, rather, that he wandered off on his own.

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With the weather turning cold, officials told the local ABS affiliate that time is "beyond critical" to the search effort, and that it is running out. Search and rescue teams searched a pond near the boy's apartment last week, but did not turn up any clues.

Volunteer search and rescue personnel have also been participating in the effort. Missing Missouri, a non-profit organization, said on Monday they are continuing to help in the search effort.

But, another volunteer group, the Missouri Search and Rescue Ground Team, said on Sunday they they had called off their search after four exhausting days.

"I have made the executive decision to pull my team off an further searches unless we are specifically asked by law enforcement personnel to return," the team's leader wrote on Facebook. "In this line of work, it is imperative you know when to step back, and let law enforcement continue on with their investigation, and when your continued assistance could potentially harm their investigation. I think now is that time. If we are asked to return, we will do so without hesitation."

Darnell Gray is 3-feet-10-inches tall, weighs about 50 pounds, and was last seen wearing a black coat with red fur lining, red Spider-Man shoes, black and white pajamas and a Black Panther backpack. He may also be wearing a Mickey Mouse cap and is missing his two front teeth.

Anyone with information should call Jefferson City police at 573-634-6400 or contact St. Louis Regional CrimeStoppers toll free at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477). All callers to CrimeStoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward. Tips can also be submitted through the CrimeStoppers website or free app.

Photos via Jefferson City Police Department