ASHEBORO, N.C. — A desperate search is underway in Randolph County after 7-year-old Liam King, a nonverbal child with cognitive impairments, vanished from his relative’s home on Forest Hills Drive late Sunday morning. Authorities say every passing hour is critical as the boy, who requires specialized care, remains missing in the dense North Carolina woods.
The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Liam walked away from the home around 11:00 a.m. on September 7, 2025. His disappearance triggered one of the largest search-and-rescue efforts the county has ever seen, with Sheriff Greg Seabolt deploying hundreds of personnel, drones, helicopters, and K-9 units to sweep the area. The initial search radius covered more than 2,500 meters around the last place Liam was seen.
Because Liam is nonverbal and lives with significant cognitive disabilities, authorities say locating him poses unique challenges. Deputies warn that he may avoid strangers—even those trying to help him—and could run from rescuers. His known fascination with water has further heightened urgency, leading teams to scour ponds, streams, creeks, and drainage areas where a child could be drawn but easily face danger.
Liam is described as weighing 55 pounds and was last seen wearing a Nike sweatshirt and Sonic the Hedgehog-themed socks. His distinct clothing has become a key identifier for both trained search teams and volunteers assisting in the effort.
The boy’s parents, Jose Luis Reyes and Brenda Victoria King, are living through every parent’s nightmare. With FBI agents now assisting in the case, law enforcement has emphasized that no possibility is being ruled out as the hours stretch on. “This is all-hands-on-deck,” Sheriff Seabolt said in a briefing. “We are exhausting every resource to bring Liam home safely.”
Local residents have been asked to carefully check their properties—barns, sheds, vehicles, and wooded areas—for any signs of the missing boy. Authorities also urge the public to avoid calling out Liam’s name if they spot him, as it may startle him into running away. Instead, community members are advised to quietly notify law enforcement and keep him in sight until trained rescuers arrive.
The search has drawn massive federal and state support, with the FBI, North Carolina Emergency Management, and surrounding county sheriff’s offices working in coordination. Volunteers from neighboring communities have also gathered in Asheboro to help distribute flyers, provide meals to search teams, and offer prayers at local churches.
As night falls on the second day of the search, the weight of uncertainty grows heavier. Liam’s family clings to hope, supported by a community determined not to give up. “He’s such a sweet boy,” a relative said. “We just need him back home safe where he belongs.”
Anyone with information about Liam King’s whereabouts is urged to immediately contact the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office or call 911.
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