JACOB LAKE, Ariz. — Officials from several Arizona and U.S. agencies are looking for a 5-year-old boy who disappeared Thursday afternoon near Jacob Lake.
Jerold Joseph Williams
Jerold Joseph Williams was camping with about 20 friends and family members in the northern part of Kaibab National Forest, about 12 miles south of the lake.
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to FOX 13 the boy and his family are from Colorado City, Ariz.
According to St. George News, Jerold and his mother were about 100 to 200 yards from the campsite and the boy was chasing grasshoppers just before he disappeared.
The boy’s mother said she lost sight of him and members of the camping group spent four hours searching for him before contacting the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office.
Agencies that responded to assist in the search effort include the Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies, 2 Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue ground search teams, Arizona Highway Patrol Officers, Arizona Game and Fish Law Enforcement Officers, US Forest Service Fire Crews, two search helicopters equipped with night vision equipment from the Nellis US Air Force Base, the Bureau of Land Management and two search dogs and their handlers who are also members of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit.
Washington County Sheriff Cory Pulsipher said, “We’ve had 27 volunteers that have come up from Washington County with their search and rescue members to try to come and help out.”
Jerold is described as as a white 5-year-old boy, about 3 feet 6 inches tall, and weighing about 35 pounds.
He has brown eyes and brown hair cut very short.
His mother said he has a thin build and a light complexion.
Jerold also had visible facial abrasions and was last seen wearing a gray or tan shirt, blue jean pants size and hiking boots.
Anyone with information regarding the possible location of Jerold Williams or the circumstances leading up to his disappearance is urged to call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at 928-774-4523 or 1-800-338-7888.
