A Colorado boy has been missing for a week after he left to play at a friend’s house, according to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
As of Feb. 2, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office has received over 134 tips regarding the missing 11-year-old, Gannon Stauch. The office is being assisted by multiple organizations and over 50 volunteers in the search for the young boy in the area of Lorson Ranch, the office said in a statement.
Stauch was last seen by his step-mother in their home on the 6000 block of Mandan Drive in Security, Colorado, on Jan. 27. His step-mother said the boy left to go play a friend’s house down the street sometime between 3:15 p.m. and 4 p.m. He was wearing a hooded blue jacket, jeans, and tennis shoes and was described as being approximately 4 feet 9 inches tall, weighing about 90 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
On Jan. 30, the case was upgraded from runaway child case to an endangered child case, the sheriff’s office said, reported Fox 31.
“Our Major Crimes Detectives have assumed responsibility over this case. They are actively searching for evidence and taking all witness statements at this time. This case was referred to Major Crimes for their ability to gather information and use great focus with their investigative training,” the office said in a release.
“We would like to remind those who live in or around the Lorson Ranch area to be mindful of and check areas on your property a child may hide to include yards, window wells, outbuildings and culverts,” said Jacqueline Kirby, the Media Relations officer at the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. Lorson Ranch is southeast of Colorado Springs.
Over 160 people have assisted the sheriff’s office in its search for the young boy. Other partners in the search include the FBI’s Child Abduction Rapid Deployment unit. Others participating in the search include Pikes Peak Regional office of Emergency Management, El Paso County Search and Rescue, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Colorado Springs Police Department, Fountain Police Department, Salvation Army, and Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, the Army 4th Engineer Battalion, National Guard 100th Missile Defense Brigade, as well as volunteers.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office at its Investigations Tip Line at 719-520-6666 or dial 911, if appropriate.
