LA VISTA, Neb. (KMTV) — The search for a missing La Vista boy is continuing this weekend. Ryan Larsen, an 11-year-old child with autism, has not been seen since Monday, May 17.
On Saturday, law enforcement and search teams continued to focus their work on the Walnut Creek Recreation Area, an area they have searching by land and water for several days. The Nebraska State Patrol also provided helicopter assistance to search by air on Saturday.
ALSO SEE: Omaha area business doing its part to help find Ryan Larsen
During the search at Walnut Creek, a police K9 picked up a scent but it's 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.
Authorities said on Friday that Walnut Creek was searched because Larsen and his family have visited there, and he wandered off there before.
Police thanked area residents for avoiding Walnut Creek this weekend so law enforcement could focus on their search there.
"La Vista Police want to thank all area residents who have made alternate plans for recreation this weekend, allowing K9 units and investigators to search for Ryan at Walnut Creek without additional visitors," police said in a release.
Although the EMA has expired for Ryan Larsen, he is still missing. Search efforts are still underway, in the Walnut Creek area.@NEStatePatrol’s Aviation Support Division & Troopers on the ground, continue to assist the @lavistapolice in the mission to #BringRyanHome.#NSPomaha pic.twitter.com/SmV4dehh4a
— NSP Capt. Sutter 🇺🇸 (@NSP_CaptSutter) May 22, 2021
Larsen has brown hair and hazel eyes. He is 5-foot-8 and weighs approximately 125 pounds. Larsen may be in need of his seizure medication.
He was last seen leaving La Vista West Elementary around noon Monday.
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
Tips can also be sent to investigators via the See it, Say It, Send It app.
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:
No new update on the ongoing search for Ryan Larsen. Reminder: he is just one of at least 35 children currently missing in Nebraska. Please take a look at this list from @MissingKids and see if you recognize anyone or can help bring these children home. https://t.co/ogyxqLAVPM
— La Vista Police (@lavistapolice) May 22, 2021
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