Volunteer search for missing 4-year-old boy continues

LITTLE RIVER, SC (WMBF) - Volunteers met in Little River on Friday morning to continue the search for missing boy Jayden Morrison.

Police, first responders, K9 units, dive teams, investigators and residents have searched for a missing 4-year-old boy since Wednesday at around 6 p.m. Abduction is possible in the case of missing 4-year-old boy Jayden Morrison, according to Horry County Lieutenant Raul Denis.Christmas Day, search crews continued the search in the Hidden Lakes Subdivision of Little River.

A command center was set up after the 4-year-old boy was reported missing from Sultana Drive in the Little River community. Horry County Police said Jayden was reported missing at around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. 

Just before 10 p.m. Wednesday, officials divided into groups to search. The area included wooded areas and bodies of water. 

Several hundred residents joined officials in the search Wednesday and Thursday. 

According to officials, Jayden is described as a black male, last seen wearing red and orange pajamas with guitars. The pictured pajamas belong to Jayden's twin brother. Jayden stands four-feet-tall, 40 pounds and bald, officials said. Horry County police said Jayden was last seen with a pacifier with a pink ribbon.

Jayden has special needs and does not speak, according to police.

Horry County Fire and Rescue confirmed Jayden's family is from New York, so the area is unfamiliar territory for the child. Jayden's father, Andre Morrison, traveled to South Carolina to join Jayden's mother, Tabatha Morrison, in the search efforts as soon as he heard the news, according to Morrison. The parents have been placed into the privacy of the home in Little River.

In addition to Police, first responders and K9 teams, the American Red Cross and nearly 100 community members split into groups to search for the missing child. Horry County Police Department, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, CUE Center for Missing Persons, North Myrtle Beach Fire and Police are also helping in search efforts. Helicopters continue to circle the area as groups continue the search on foot. 

All lakes and ponds in the surrounding area have been cleared, said Denis. Divers searched the bodies of water and the fire department used an infrared system to check to see if any masses were in the water. According to Denis, the ponds and lakes may be searched and moved to be drained.

A five- to 10-mile radius has been the focus of the search, officials said. According to officials, the search has been unsuccessful but they have had a few leads such as scraps found in wood and red cloth that could have been part of Jayden's pajamas. Lieutenant Denis said that they haven't ruled out the possibility of abduction, but this is still a missing person's investigation.

Officials urge people to come to the search dressed appropriately for the weather. The search includes entering wooded areas. 

Officials are asking people to check places where Jayden could be hiding, such as cars and sheds. 

Anyone driving in the area is urged to use caution.  

Please call the Horry County Police at 843-248-1520, if you have any information or see Jayden.

Copyright 2014 WMBF News. All rights reserved.