LA VISTA, Neb. (KMTV) - The Papio-Missouri Natural Resources District is joining the search efforts for a missing La Vista boy last seen on May 17.
The Papio-Missouri Natural Resources District is lowering the water level at the Walnut Creek Recreation Area to try and help find Ryan Larsen, an 11-year-old with autism.
Authorities said dive teams and search units finished preliminary searches there on Saturday night after focusing on the area for several days.
By lowering the water a few feet, authorities hope it will allow search teams better physical and visual access to the water at Walnut Creek.
Authorities said on Friday that Walnut Creek was being searched because Larsen and his family have visited there, and he wandered off there before.
Police said on Saturday that a K9 picked up a scent at Walnut Creek but it was unclear what kind of scent it was.
"This scent may be animal, human, or otherwise. This is a vast park with extensive area to cover including water, vegetation, tall grasses, and miles of trails," police said in a release on Saturday afternoon.
Larsen has brown hair and hazel eyes. He is 5-foot-8 and weighs approximately 125 pounds. He was last seen leaving La Vista West Elementary around noon on May 17,
ALSO SEE: Omaha area business doing its part to help find Ryan Larsen
Larsen may be in need of his seizure medication.
If you see him or have any information about his whereabouts, call 911.
MORE: Thursday developments in the search for 11-year-old Ryan Larsen
People in the area are also encouraged to check doorbell or other surveillance footage for any sign of Larsen.
Larsen's information was uploaded on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children website on Saturday. The following poster was released:
Search teams, first responders, and volunteers from more than 15 area law enforcement and fire departments have been part of the effort to find Larsen.
(2 of 2) We are aware of the countless tips/posts across social media regarding rumors on Ryan’s case - THESE ARE FALSE. We'll continue to share facts/updates here on our Twitter page as we search for Ryan Larsen. Thank you to all of our caring community for your ongoing support.
— La Vista Police (@lavistapolice) May 23, 2021
Download our apps today for all of our latest coverage.
Get the latest news and weather delivered straight to your inbox.
