The Idaho community is still haunted by the disappearance of 5-year-old Michael Vaughan, even four years later.
“This is one of the worst-case scenarios for any small city,” Chief JD Huff told KTVB-7. “When I stated that at the beginning of this case, we wouldn’t stop and that we’re working on it daily, I can honestly tell you that that has happened.”
In July 2021, Vaughan went missing from his residence. According to the TV station, the police have received over 2,000 tips related to the case.
“He’s energetic, very inquisitive … he wants answers to everything,” Vaughan’s mother, Brandi Neal, told KTVB-7. “[He] loves the moon and the stars. We still hang his stocking. He still gets birthday presents; Christmas presents. They’re all waiting for him.”
The police received information that led them to dig up a neighbor’s yard in search of the boy’s body, however, they were unsuccessful in finding it.
Charges of failing to report a threat were initially brought against one of the residents of the home, but these charges were ultimately dropped. It is important to note that at the time of Vaughan’s disappearance, there were four individuals residing in the nearby home.
“I believe that at the end of this, there will be accountability for those who perpetrated the crime,” Huff told KTVB. “It’s been said in the past … no body, no crime type … and I would just tell you that I don’t believe that holds water. And the only reason I say that is because [of] the volumes of circumstantial evidence that you can obtain.”