In hopes of finding a missing four-year-old Jefferson City boy, the Jefferson City Police Department plans to expand its search area.
A caller reported to police shortly before 7 a.m. Thursday that Darnell S. Gray was missing from a residence in the 1100 block of Buena Vista Street.
Due to "inconsistent statements made by some close to the investigation," the police department decided to expand the search area, according to a press release Saturday afternoon. Jefferson City Police Lt. Dave Williams said he could not disclose how wide they were expanding the search area.
Williams previously said more than 35 officers from various law enforcement agencies have been involved in searching an area including the entire Jefferson City Housing Authority complex on Buena Vista Street, Elizabeth Street, Woodclift Drive, Myrtle Avenue, through Washington Park and into Helias Catholic High School's Crusader Athletic Complex. Members of the Missouri Highway Patrol's Water Division also searched a retention pond on Linden Drive on Friday.
Missouri Missing and various volunteers are also helping in the search.
Gray is described as a black male, between 3-4 feet tall, weighing approximately 50 pounds and missing his two front teeth. He has light-colored shorter hair and was wearing a black and white sleeper, black coat, red Spider-Man velcro shoes and possibly a Mickey Mouse cap. His "Black Panther" backpack was also missing from the residence.
He was last seen between 11 p.m. Wednesday and midnight, when he went to sleep, according to the the Missouri Highway Patrol, which assisted in the search.
The Jefferson City Area CrimeStoppers is offering a $500 reward for information regarding Gray's location.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the police at (573)634-6400), Crimestoppers 659-TIPS (659-8477) or at jeffcitycrimestoppers.com.