EAGLE, Colo. — The search for missing 3-year-old Sebastian Castro continued Sunday in the town of Eagle. Sebastian, who is autistic, was last seen Friday at his apartment complex.
Authorities are using four dog teams and multiple UAV (drone) teams that will patrol the riverbanks, while land-based teams continue grid-based search efforts, including an extended area downstream into Garfield County.
They are asking people to not fly personal drones in the area, as it will prevent aerial operations from taking place. Additionally, current high water levels in the Eagle River have created extremely dangerous conditions in the river and along the riverbank, with numerous hazards identified, authorities said.
Sebastian was last seen at his apartment at Eagle Villas off Nogal Road. Eagle police later learned that there was a young boy with a similar description on the playground at the apartment complex around 9 p.m. Friday.
The 3-year-old has brown hair and eyes and was wearing red shoes, with ripped blue jeans. He is autistic and non-verbal, and not comfortable with adults he does not know. He is a heavy sleeper and likes to sleep in tight small spaces.
The family is asking search volunteers not to scream or yell his name. They say he responds well to kid’s songs and animal noises, loves colorful things, water and insects.
More than 300 volunteers turned out Saturday to search alongside officials from many mountain law enforcement districts, the Colorado State Patrol and Colorado Bureau of Investigation, FBI and Secret Service, the town of Eagle said.
The Eagle Police Department has been searching for Sebastian since Friday night with the assistance of several other authorities, including Vail Mountain Rescue.
Anyone with information that may help with locating Sebastian is asked to call (970) 445-4911 or email eaglecountypio@gmail.com. Call the Eagle Police Department at 970-479-2201 with information on his disappearance.