Search for nonverbal, missing 3-year-old boy in Michigan enters day 2 in Michigan

WATERTOWN TWP., Michigan − Authorities in Central Michigan on Tuesday morning entered day two of a search for a missing 3-year-old boy with special needs.

The Clinton County Sheriff's Office said the toddler, who is autistic and non-verbal, was reported missing about 2 p.m. on Monday.

The toddler was last seen walking away from his home on South Bauer Road, just north of Clark Road in north Watertown Township, a rural community about 15 miles northwest of Lansing, Michigan.

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Boy last seen wearing gray-and-blue shorts and a blue sweatshirt

In a post on X, Michigan State Police said the boy was last seen wearing gray-and-blue shorts and a blue sweatshirt.

Authorities, who have not released the toddler's name, said the child has long, curly dark hair and did not have shoes on when he disappeared.

"The missing boy is reported to also be a climber and could be in a tree or any other elevated structure," the sheriff's office reported.

Temperatures dipped into the low 40s overnight in the area, according to the National Weather Service, and as of 7:45 a.m. ET Tuesday the temperature registered 43 degrees at the Capital Region International Airport in Lansing.

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A search through late Monday night, plea for help

The sheriff's office reported law enforcement from several agencies, as well as numerous civilian volunteers, spent most of Monday night searching for the boy.

"Specialized units worked throughout the night and at this time, have been unable to locate the missing child," the agency wrote in a post about 7 a.m. ET.

The sheriff's office said the search for a missing boy would continue Tuesday morning after searchers failed to locate him overnight.

'Keep the family in your prayers'

The sheriff's office asked residents to check their sheds, outbuildings, or areas of shelter or bodies of water.

Anyone who sees the boy is being asked to immediately call 911.

"Please keep the family in your prayers as we move forward," the sheriff's office posted on social media.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.