LA VISTA, Neb. (AP and KMTV) — UPDATE: 5/19/21 7:00 PM
KMTV 3 News Now has confirmed that the FBI is now involved with the search for Ryan Larsen who has been missing for three days. Center for Missing and Exploited Children is also involved in the search.
Larsen has autism and police are asking members of the public not to shout his name if he is spotted. Instead, they want people to call 911 if they see him.
On Wednesday, following two days of unsuccessful searching for a missing La Vista boy who has autism, officials provided an update on efforts to locate Ryan Larsen.
Watch below or on our Facebook page.
3 News Now reporters Alyssa Curtis and Kent Luetzen are providing live updates on Twitter:
They have given maps to groups of volunteers highlighting which areas each group should search. This allows people to spread out and cover more ground as well as not overwhelm Ryan if he is spotted pic.twitter.com/bhOrfezmXS
— Alyssa Curtis (@AlyssaNCurtis) May 19, 2021
Volunteers are now being designated search areas in Walnut Creek and Prairie Queen.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) May 19, 2021
LVPD is highlighting areas where groups should focus those efforts.
Again, travel in groups of two or more. pic.twitter.com/A1a1d392Yj
There were reports of a sighting near 96th and Giles.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) May 19, 2021
Police confirmed that report, adding it was believed to be Ryan in that area around 2 p.m. Tuesday.
Volunteer crowd has increased. They ask to use buddy system and stay safe. pic.twitter.com/EZqzSk68aY
— Alyssa Curtis (@AlyssaNCurtis) May 19, 2021
They have used search dogs and drones in this search.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) May 19, 2021
They have also brought in other agencies for help.
They are also in communication with an autism specialist.
LVPD wants all volunteers to search in pairs and off private property.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) May 19, 2021
If searching near water, be safe.
They do no want to have another search and rescue on their hands. pic.twitter.com/88Ew1C6MtN
He is on medication for seizures.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) May 19, 2021
He can survive without, but LVPD urge the importance of finding Ryan.
Detectives are now digging more into those YouTube searches.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) May 19, 2021
They are trying to use any detail or hint to get a better insight into how Ryan might be thinking.
La Vista Police believe it’s still a game of hide n seek for Ryan.
They say they are still believing he is hiding but law enforcement agencies are considering other situations
— Alyssa Curtis (@AlyssaNCurtis) May 19, 2021
No indication that he has food/water with him.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) May 19, 2021
They want volunteers to search through tall grasses, low river beds, water areas.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) May 19, 2021
If volunteers find him, immediately call 911.
He asks people to stay away from Central Park in La Vista as they want him to feel safe to come back home.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) May 19, 2021
He is nonverbal with people he does not know.
They ask volunteers check tall grassy areas. They want the group to spread out and cover a wide ranging area but to stay off private property.
— Alyssa Curtis (@AlyssaNCurtis) May 19, 2021
Other departments are looking in other areas. The PD asks volunteers to now stay away from the La Vista area so if he is there he can feel comfortable coming out after volunteers have walked that area for the past 2 days.
— Alyssa Curtis (@AlyssaNCurtis) May 19, 2021
John Francavilla says they will have two areas to search here, both the damn creeks. They say they have broadened the search efforts to Walnut Creek because Ryan frequents here with his family.
— Alyssa Curtis (@AlyssaNCurtis) May 19, 2021
The search for a missing autistic 11-year-old boy in eastern Nebraska has entered its third day, and police leading the effort say the child had searched online for “how to hide from police" before his disappearance.
La Vista police say 11-year-old Ryan Larsen walked out of his elementary school Monday morning and hasn't been seen since. Police say the child has a history of hiding from his family and has a habit of hiding in small spaces. But officials say he's never been missing for days at a time.
Police say a search of the family's computer showed Ryan had conducted online searches using the phrases “hiding from the police,” “hiding underground,” and “how to avoid being spotted.”
You can watch yesterday's updates from police by clicking here.
Download our apps today for all of our latest coverage.
Get the latest news and weather delivered straight to your inbox.
