Kyron Horman Search Goes On; Not Clear When 7-Year-Old's Absence from School Was Noticed

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Twenty-two state, local and federal agencies are following up on more than 1,200 tips in the search for a 7-year-old Portland boy who has been missing for four days.

Kyron Horman disappeared from Skyline Elementary School on Friday. Multnomah County sheriff's deputies and volunteers have been searching the densely wooded area near the pastoral school since then.

On Monday morning, deputies and FBI agents posted about 40 yards from the school stopped approaching cars and asked passengers whether they were at the school Friday and had any information about Kyron.

Multnomah County sheriff's Capt. Jason Gates described the variety of tips as "leads that aren't as exciting, and other leads that are more prevalent."

"We need more," he said at a news conference Monday. "Every tip, no matter how insignificant you think it is, could be the one we need."

Visitors to the school are assigned badges, but Portland Public School District spokesman Matt Shelby said it would have been difficult to assign a badge to each visitor among the friends and family members who attended a science fair Friday morning.

It was unclear whether Kyron was in class Friday or when anyone noticed he was missing because police have been reticent to disclose public details of the search. Shelby said authorities don't want to give out information that could contradict a potential witness's recollection, but the school has a good idea of when Kyron was reported absent.

"We don't want to cloud anyone's recollection," Shelby said. "We'll defer to the authorities."

An autodial system used to report absences in all Portland high schools and middle schools was not yet installed at Skyline Elementary, Shelby said. The system has been installed in 37 of the district's 57 schools.

Shelby said the system would have alerted a parent's primary phone number at about midday that his or her student was absent.

"Kyron, we're going to bring you home, buddy," Gates said as he struggled to control his emotions at the news conference.

"Nothing is more important to your family, your friends or to us."

Anyone with information on Kyron's whereabouts is urged to call the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office tip line at (503) 261-2847.

MORE ON CRIMESIDER

June 7, 2010 - Kyron Horman Update: FBI Joins Search for Missing Boy

June 7, 2010 - Kyron Horman Missing: 7-Year-Old Disappeared from School