Nov 26, 2006 2:59 pm US/Central
Search For Missing Brothers May End Sunday Night
FBI Tipline: (866) 333-4969
by Sue Turner
Red Lake, Minn. (WCCO) ―
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FBI Special Agent Paul McCabe briefs reporters on the status of the search for four-year-old Tristan White and two-year-old Avery Stately in Red Lake, Minn.
CBS
Federal, state and local law enforcement officials are assessing their search for two boys in Red Lake, Minn., now in its fourth day.
The brothers, four-year-old Tristan White and two-year-old Avery Stately, disappeared Wednesday morning after playing outside their home at the Indian reservation that occupies most of this town.
Searchers are attempting to decide how much longer they will continue to look for the boys, who have by now endured at least two nights of sub-freezing temperatures.
Search teams have combed the Red Lake twice and plan to focus on an areas not readily visible by air. They include three bear dens, overturned boats and a woodpile.
Given the lack of success, hope has diminished that authorities will find the boys alive. With that harsh reality hovering over them for yet another day, authorities suggest that Sunday may be the final day of hard-target searching.
"It's somewhat frustrating -- a great effort has been put into [the search], not only [on the] ground, but in air and water searches," said FBI Special Agent Paul McCabe. "It is also possible foul play is involved [and] we have a team of agents covering leads all day -- approximately 30 to 35 leads they are following up on, although none of them are what I'd call 'hard leads'," he said.
The FBI said the family is cooperating.
Seventy-five volunteers have joined the boys' family in the round-the-clock search.
"Ever since they disappeared, they're out there 'til 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning looking," said Alicia White, the boys' mother.
But so far, 115 trained searchers and law enforcement officials, along with dive teams form three counties and aerial cameras have turned up nothing substantial.
The dive teams have searched three lakes near the brothers' home, which are already frozen over, although there is no sign of the ice being disturbed.
The FBI plans to continue the investigation even if it calls off the search later on Sunday.
It is then that investigators will pursue the 'foul play' angle of the case.
Police agencies have put up a $20,000 reward for information leading to recovery of the boys.
The FBI encourages anyone with specific information on their whereabouts to call (866) 333-4969.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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