07-14-2015, 09:15 PM
![[Image: 2A88131900000578-3161336-image-m-167_1436907570715.jpg]](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/07/14/21/2A88131900000578-3161336-image-m-167_1436907570715.jpg)
The boy's parents said that as soon as they realized that he was missing, they searched far and wide for him for 20 minutes before calling the police.
When police arrived they launched a widespread search for the tot spanning at least 2.5 miles.
The rescue effort included hundreds of volunteers, helicopters, search dogs and the Salmon Search and Rescue and the Lemhi County Sheriff's Office.
But they did not locate the child.
![[Image: 2A88DD2A00000578-3161336-image-a-1_1436920171566.jpg]](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/07/15/01/2A88DD2A00000578-3161336-image-a-1_1436920171566.jpg)
The parents, ^ Deorr Kunz Sr. and Jessica Mitchell, describe how, during their camping trip, they decided to explore the area.
'We decided we were gonna do a little exploring,' Kunz Sr. told East Idaho News. 'It's such a small area – that's what a lot of people don't understand. They just assume, 'How could you let your kid out of your sight.' Well, this area is pretty well blocked in and there's no way you couldn't see him.'
'Who would harm us this way?' Mitchell said. 'Especially knowing how much he means to us. He's everything to us.'
Search and rescue efforts to locate the child were scaled back on Sunday, The Lemhi County Sheriff's Office said. But Kunz Sr. said search efforts are ongoing.
A spokesperson for The Lemhi County Sheriff's Office confirmed that 'rescue efforts have not been called off but they were no longer asking for outside help in the search.'
The little boy's parents say they've gained strength from the fact that they've been inundated with help from the general public.
On Monday, they held a vigil after the weekend search for their son. At least 200 people attended.
Refs:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...z3fuzGTrvw
http://fox13now.com/2015/07/14/well-find...g-toddler/