Kyron Horman Update: Reward Doubles in Search for Missing Ore. Boy
PORTLAND, Ore. (CBS/KOIN/AP) Kyron Horman's biological mother, in a tearful address during a Tuesday news conference, said she is not giving up hope, while investigators doubled the reward for information on the 7-year-old's disappearance.
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"We love you, Kyron," Desiree Young said, sobbing. "We are all coming to get you to bring you home."
The Multnomah County Sheriff's Department said "significant progress" was being made in the search for the missing Oregon boy, but declined to offer details. The reward for information leading to Kyron's whereabouts was increased from $25,000 to $50,000.
Kyron vanished June 4 after attending a science fair at Skyline Elementary School in northwest Portland. The case has taken many twists in the weeks since, many of them centered on his stepmother, Terri Horman.
Terri Horman has not been named as a suspect in Kyron's disappearance, and she has never spoken publicly about it.
The boy's father, Kaine Horman, filed for divorce from Terri Horman in late June, claiming he believes she has information about his son's disappearance. He also says investigators told him that last year Terri Horman tried to hire somebody to kill him. The alleged plot was uncovered during the investigation into Kyron's disappearance, Kaine Horman's court filing said.
Terri Horman hasn't been charged with anything, and her attorney, Stephen Houze, has repeatedly declined to comment. However, he said in court earlier this month Terri Horman is being subjected to a "witch hunt."
Court documents also say Terri Horman engaged in a sexual relationship with a former acquaintance of her husband's during the initial days of the search for Kyron. The relationship included the exchange of lurid images by cell phone, or "sexting," court records said.
Kaine Horman was granted a court order to have Terri Horman leave the family home. She has reportedly been living in southern Oregon with her parents.
"Significant progress in this case is occurring in that tips are being reviewed, leads are either being considered, worked or have been ruled out," sheriff's Capt. Monte Reiser said at Tuesday's news conference.
However, Reiser also said investigators are prepared for a "long-term effort" in the search for Kyron.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Kyron Horman is asked to call the Multnomah County Sheriff's tip line at 503-261-2847.