Found Safe CA - Michael Mercado, 25, two children, 7 & 2, Butte County, Sterling City, 14 April 2019

[pandamonium]

Per Butte County media FB page:
Butte County Sheriff


The search for a father and his 2 children is continuing. BCSO Search and Rescue is using their Polaris Ranger to search areas covered in snow near Inskip. Anyone with information or who has had contact with Michael Mercado age 25, and his two children ages 7 and 2 is requested to contact BCSO at 538-7322.

Butte County Sheriff's Office received a call last night at approximately 1:00AM from a woman reporting her husband and two children missing. The woman reported that her husband took their children, ages 7 and 2, to the area above Stirling City yesterday around noon and she hasn't heard from them since. The Jeep they were driving has been located unoccupied. BCSO along with BCSO Search and Rescue immediately responded to the area and began searching. Mutual Aid resources have been requested as well. Currently assisting in the search are BCSO, BCSO Search and Rescue, Yuba County Search and Rescue, Nevada County Search and Rescue, California Rescue Dog Association, Cal Fire, and CHP, including 4 K-9's and 2 helicopters.

Have not seen names or pics of children as of yet.

 

[Suglo]

I hope they find them soon. It’s supposed to start raining/snowing in the next couple of hours through tomorrow.

 

[pandamonium]

Another article:
Search and rescue looks for missing family in Butte County foothills

Find it odd no pics of the family have been released yet. Hoping they are ok and found soon. Kids are pretty young to be in those temps at night.

 

[PayrollNerd]

From the Butte County Sheriffs Office Facebook page comments:

4/15/2019: An adult male named Michael and two young children are missing after going to the Inskip area Sunday to go wheeling, please share!

Butte County Search and Rescue are in the area of Inskip above Stirling City looking for a missing male adult named Michael and 2 Juveniles.

Michael's wife called Butte County Sheriff's Office about 1:00 AM Monday morning to report her husband and the children missing.

Michael left Sunday, 4/14/2019, around noon to go to the Inskip area.

The vehicle Michael drove was found unoccupied in the Inskip area.

The children are not dressed appropriately for the snow.

ADULT: Michael is a Hispanic male adult who is 6' 3" and 195 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a green or blue hoodie, unknown color sweatshirt, flannel shirt, blue jeans, and brown work boots.

CHILD 1: White 7-year-old boy who is 50 lbs with brown hair and brown eyes.

CHILD 2: White 2 1/2-year-old boy who is 30 lbs with brown hair and brown eyes who is wearing a gray hoodie, gray shirt with print, and gray pants.

It's NOT appropriate to CRITICISE dad! We WANT family and friends to share this post and they won't want to if there are a bunch of comments bashing Michael.

9:33 AM: Rescue asked BCSO if they have a pilot available to search the roads in the area with an aircraft.

9:51 AM: A CHP helicopter is circling the area searching for the family. You can watch it on www.flightradar24.com

Butte County Sheriff

 

[CharlestonGal]

This doesn't sound good. I hope they are found quickly!

 

[pandamonium]

Also from Butte County Sheriff's Facebook page (they use FB instead of their webpage):

There are 4 search dogs, including area and trailing dogs, assisting in today’s search for Michael Mercado and his two children

 

[GraceG]

Here is an area view of the Stirling City surroundings. It looks heavily forested. Hopefully, they can get a helicopter up with thermal imaging. Praying for this family. Google Maps

 

[pandamonium]

Here is an area view of the Stirling City surroundings. It looks heavily forested. Hopefully, they can get a helicopter up with thermal imaging. Praying for this family. Google Maps

It is very heavily forested. I'm not sure based on the reports if they were in Sterling City or Inskip but both are relatively close but it would be very easy to get lost if not familiar with the area. It's been years since I've been up there but it used to pretty much dead end and you'd need 4wd access. I was young and dumb and drove up there once in a 2wd vehicle and almost got stuck in the snow.

 

[GraceG]

It just came up on Facebook that Nevada County Search and Rescue (it was on their fB page) is on the scene to assist Butte Co. Sheriff. They also have a Polaris vehicle so they can search over areas covered in snow. Current temperature in Sterling City is 40 F.

 

[GraceG]

It is very heavily forested. I'm not sure based on the reports if they were in Sterling City or Inskip but both are relatively close but it would be very easy to get lost if not familiar with the area. It's been years since I've been up there but it used to pretty much dead end and you'd need 4wd access. I was young and dumb and drove up there once in a 2wd vehicle and almost got stuck in the snow.

The sheriff reported they had gone "wheeling". Their jeep didn't look big enough to put an ATV in the back, especially one that 3 can sit in? In looking at the Jeep owner/ATV forums all ATV's were shown being towed in either a flatbed trailer or a small You Haul trailer. But there is no trailer in the photo of their missing vehicle. A witness did see him driving the jeep in the area. Search On In Snow-Covered Part Of Butte County For Missing Father, 2 Children

 

[Davia18]

The sheriff reported they had gone "wheeling". Their jeep didn't look big enough to put an ATV in the back, especially one that 3 can sit in? In looking at the Jeep owner/ATV forums all ATV's were shown being towed in either a flatbed trailer or a small You Haul trailer. But there is no trailer in the photo of their missing vehicle.

Many people I know go wheeling in their jeeps and or 4x4 trucks.

 

[pandamonium]

The sheriff reported they had gone "wheeling". Their jeep didn't look big enough to put an ATV in the back, especially one that 3 can sit in? In looking at the Jeep owner/ATV forums all ATV's were shown being towed in either a flatbed trailer or a small You Haul trailer. But there is no trailer in the photo of their missing vehicle.

I noticed that too. I don't know how deep the snow is up there currently. I'm in NV now but I know the mtns got a TON of snow this winter so not sure how much is in that area currently. I'd guess they still have some with all the tree cover and the fact the reports are saying the kids weren't dressed for the snow means it's a concern so I'm curious how much is up there. Possibly they got stuck?

 

[LadyL]

oh no
if they went to go four-wheeling, why would they leave the jeep
why would he have taken a two-year old on a hike in the forest, esp. not properly dressed
just wondering if something else is going on aside from a day-out for father & kids

 

[Davia18]

oh no
if they went to go four-wheeling, why would they leave the jeep
why would he have taken a two-year old on a hike in the forest, esp. not properly dressed
just wondering if something else is going on aside from a day-out for father & kids

Maybe restroom break, maybe saw wild life (deer) and started to follow it. So many possibilities. We go out all the time and my kids love to stop and explore.
Not being properly dressed though not sure why would wander off far enough to get lost.
Hopefully we have all the answers soon and they are found safe.

 

[PayrollNerd]

This photo is a screen grab as I’m watching a Cessna 750 flyover Stirling, CA headed north to Inskip, CA. Very rugged terrain.

 

[Plo_Koon]

If they were going 4wheeling, whether they brought an ATV with them or used their vehicle - if snow was involved, shouldn't their be tracks in the snow?

 

[PayrollNerd]

oh no
if they went to go four-wheeling, why would they leave the jeep
why would he have taken a two-year old on a hike in the forest, esp. not properly dressed
just wondering if something else is going on aside from a day-out for father & kids

Dad could have been injured and he knows staying together is their best hope to be found. I’d say the plan was not to be gone very long hence the light clothing.

I took my two, even as toddlers, to the national park in TN even in the dead of winter. I needed the one with ADHD to wear herself out. LOL!

 

[PayrollNerd]

Now theres a Piper PA-46-500TP to the east of the Stirling City & Inskip region.

 

[Plo_Koon]

Dad could have been injured and he knows staying together is their best hope to be found. I’d say the plan was not to be gone very long hence the light clothing.

I took my two, even as toddlers, to the national park in TN even in the dead of winter. I needed the one with ADHD to wear herself out. LOL!

When I was younger I remember my Dad took my brother ATV-ing (not on snow, this was more of a rocky/hilly dusty desert-esque place). My Dad was apparently controlling the ATV with my brother sitting in front of him. They ended up tipping over and my Dad broke his leg. Now that I reflect back on it, had my Dad's friend not been there with them then it could have been a similar set up to what was going on here.

 

[CharlestonGal]

I found pics but it's on mom fb and Not sure if I'm allowed to share?

Not a mod, but no, you can't share anything from mom's FB.