CHICOPEE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Authorities in central Massachusetts continued the search for a missing child Wednesday, nearly two weeks after he was last seen.
MSP said several units returned to the Connecticut and Chicopee Rivers early Wednesday as they searched for missing 11-year-old boy Aiden Blanchard.
"Today’s search did not locate any evidence related to Aiden’s disappearance," a spokesperson for MSP said. "The operation remains focused on locating Aiden, or any evidence showing his direction of travel or whereabouts."
Aiden was last seen Friday, February 5, 2021 at approximately 11:30 a.m. as he was walking in the Willamansett area of Chicopee, near Old Field Road, and was believed to be heading in the direction of the Medina Street boat launch along the Connecticut River. Aiden is 5 foot tall, 100 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes, and was last seen wearing a red ski jacket and black ski pants.
Local police, State Police, and Environmental Police previously searched the Connecticut and Chicopee Rivers and the surrounding land on numerous days using officers, K9s, divers, boats, drones, and the MSP Air Wing.
According to MSP, all evidence known thus far suggests Aiden was alone and near the river when he went missing.
"Aiden was last known to be in the area of the Medina Street boat ramp," MSP said. "Based on the information currently known to detectives, no foul play is suspected at this time."
All leads continue to be investigated by Chicopee Police detectives and the State Police Detective Unit for Hampden County
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has created a missing person poster for Aiden. Authorities said anyone who has information that may help locate Aiden, or who believes they may have seen him, should immediately call 911, Chicopee Police at 413-594-1639, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST.
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Written by Brit Smith
(Photo: Massachusetts State Police)