Volunteers Hope Search Helps Missing Boy Case
70 Volunteers Search For 2 Days
POSTED: 11:02 a.m. EST April 8, 2003
OXFORD, Ind. -- Volunteers looking for clues in the
eight-month-old disappearance of a boy hope a weekend search helps
investigators determine what happened to him.
The missing boy, Nicolas Zavala (pictured, left), was last seen Aug. 4 when his
grandmother dropped him off in Oxford, about 20 miles west of
Lafayette, for a camping trip.
Zavala, 11 at the time of his disappearance, was reported
missing on Aug. 13.
As many as 70 volunteers concluded a two-day search of Benton
County on Sunday, with trained dogs identifying several places that
appear to warrant further investigation, said Troy Jones, a Purdue
University student who coordinated the effort.
"There were probably three or four sites that the dogs showed
some interest in," Jones said. "So those are the sites that are
primarily the ones that we want to be searched more heavily."
Jones said he remained confident that the boy's disappearance
could be solved.
"I think we're bound to find what happened to him," he said.
"And it's a matter of people realizing that urgency is needed,
that just because he's been missing for eight months doesn't mean
we can slow down the process."
The boy had been living in the Oxford home with his grandmother, Margaret Williams (pictured, right), for a few months at the time of his disappearance, police said.
Williams reported Nicolas missing Aug. 13, saying he did not return from a camping trip for which he had left a week earlier.
She told police she dropped him off Aug. 4 at Oxford's library, where he was to meet with two friends and their uncle to leave for the trip.
Williams told investigators she didn't know the names, addresses, or phone numbers of the three people. Investigators also have not been able to identify them, having checked with local schools.
Last month, police said blood that was found at Williams' Benton County house is that of her grandson.
Williams was charged in October with neglect. Prosecutors contend Williams should have known the people she claims took Nicolas on the camping trip.
Williams, who is free on bail, is scheduled to go on trial in late April.
Anyone with information on the case can call state police at (800) 382-7537 or (765) 463-1515.
The missing boy, Nicolas Zavala (pictured, left), was last seen Aug. 4 when his
grandmother dropped him off in Oxford, about 20 miles west of
Lafayette, for a camping trip.
Zavala, 11 at the time of his disappearance, was reported
missing on Aug. 13.
As many as 70 volunteers concluded a two-day search of Benton
County on Sunday, with trained dogs identifying several places that
appear to warrant further investigation, said Troy Jones, a Purdue
University student who coordinated the effort.
"There were probably three or four sites that the dogs showed
some interest in," Jones said. "So those are the sites that are
primarily the ones that we want to be searched more heavily."
Jones said he remained confident that the boy's disappearance
could be solved.
"I think we're bound to find what happened to him," he said.
"And it's a matter of people realizing that urgency is needed,
that just because he's been missing for eight months doesn't mean
we can slow down the process."
The boy had been living in the Oxford home with his grandmother, Margaret Williams (pictured, right), for a few months at the time of his disappearance, police said.
Williams reported Nicolas missing Aug. 13, saying he did not return from a camping trip for which he had left a week earlier.
She told police she dropped him off Aug. 4 at Oxford's library, where he was to meet with two friends and their uncle to leave for the trip.
Williams told investigators she didn't know the names, addresses, or phone numbers of the three people. Investigators also have not been able to identify them, having checked with local schools.
Last month, police said blood that was found at Williams' Benton County house is that of her grandson.
Williams was charged in October with neglect. Prosecutors contend Williams should have known the people she claims took Nicolas on the camping trip.
Williams, who is free on bail, is scheduled to go on trial in late April.
Anyone with information on the case can call state police at (800) 382-7537 or (765) 463-1515.
Previous Stories:
- March 18, 2003: Police: Blood At Grandmother's House Is Missing Boy's
- October 30, 2002: National Group Joins Search For Missing Boy
- October 24, 2002: Missing Boy: Grandmother Arrested On Neglect Charge
- October 11, 2002: State Police Take Charge Of Search For Missing Boy
- October 3, 2002: Grandmother Questioned In Indiana Boy's Disappearance
Copyright 2003 by TheIndyChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
