Dive crews using grid system, food coloring in search for Deorr - East Idaho News
DeOrr Kunz Jr.

Dive crews using grid system, food coloring in search for Deorr

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LEADORE – Search and rescue crews continued to comb through Stone Reservoir Thursday looking for any sign of Deorr Kunz, Jr.

Lemhi County Sheriff Lynn Bowerman said searchers are using a grid system above and below water to make sure every inch of the reservoir is covered. Bowerman said food coloring is being used in the water to mark areas already searched.

It’s been nearly a week since two-year-old Deorr was last seen. He was camping with his parents, great-grandfather and a friend of the grandfather at Timber Creek Campground Friday. His parents said they left the child with his great-grandfather and the friend. When they returned 10 to 15 minutes later, Deorr was gone. The great-grandfather assumed the child was with his parents.

So far there has been no sign of Deorr anywhere near the campsite. On Thursday, his grandfather told HLN TV that Deorr had been playing with a toy hot wheels car on the afternoon of his disappearance.

Investigators continue to stress that Deorr’s parents, Deorr Kunz Sr. and Jessica Mitchell, are not suspects in the case. Lemhi County Sheriff Chief Deputy Steve Penner told EastIdahoNews.com the parents story has never changed, they’ve behaved how parents of a missing child would behave, and their statements to law enforcement have been “solid.”

“We interviewed the family,” Penner said Wednesday. “I’m good with them and they’re good with me.”

Bowerman also posted a statement on Facebook Thursday clarifying remarks made earlier this week about search efforts being suspended.

On Monday, the sheriff’s office told media the search had been suspended. Bowerman clarified that while the volunteer search had been suspended, authorities have never stopped searching.

“We are currently at the location of the missing two year old and have never suspended our search,” Bowerman wrote. “We are asking the public at this point to ‘not’ come to the scene as it will hamper our investigation.”

Doerr’s parents remain near the campsite. Kunz said he won’t leave until his son his found.

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