I agree -- I'm only quoting your post because it helped me put my finger on what's been bothering me this whole time...I know that here on WS, we have to take our cue from LE, and we do have to take it on faith. I just hope that the sheriff ISN'T just taking it on faith, though...I hope that his thorough investigation has led him to his belief that things are "solid," and not just a feeling on his part.
It has been so long, I'm sure that if Little Deorr is out in that wilderness alone somewhere, it is too late to rescue him now. (Unless the wolf pack took him in and is taking care of him...) For some reason, this is the first case where I've been scared that maybe every possibility HASN'T been investigated, because none of LE's statements have given me the confidence I usually feel that EVERYTHING is being done that possibly can. It wouldn't take much difference in the given accounts, for the search to have ended up being in the wrong area, etc.
Is it true that the Sheriff is related to this family? I don't think for an instant that he is corrupt or anything like that...but I do know that it would be easier to take my family's (or someone who I know personally) word, straight up, than if I were dealing with strangers. And what it all really boils down to, is that there is a toddler lost/hurt/kidnapped up there in the wilderness, and from the searches based on the given facts, there have been NO clues (that we are aware of) to give any inkling as to what has happened to him.