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

[CharlestonGal]

I don't understand why they would have left the Jeep, unless it was broken or stuck in the mud/snow or something. I don't know if the picture is the actual jeep as they found it, but if it is there is very little snow there.

 

[PayrollNerd]

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?

If you watch the latest video on the Butte County Sheriffs FB page, you can see how muddy it is, light snow is flying and standing water. I’d say they could even find footprints in that mess. The tires on their Jeep are muddy too.

 

[CharlestonGal]

Butte County Sheriff

"Additional resources are arriving to assist in the ongoing search for Michael Mercado and his two children. Thank you to the many agencies and resources assisting in this search."

 

[GraceG]

I don't understand why they would have left the Jeep, unless it was broken or stuck in the mud/snow or something. I don't know if the picture is the actual jeep as they found it, but if it is there is very little snow there.

It's the actual jeep. If you go to the Butte County Sheriff's Facebook page and view the video of the Polaris backing off of the trailer you can see the jeep in the left of the screen in the background surrounded by crime scene tape (and crime scene tape is used in many investigations and accidents, it doesn't mean that a crime DID occur, they are just preserving evidence)

 

[CharlestonGal]

Search On In Snow-Covered Part Of Butte County For Missing Father, 2 Children

"Several local agencies are helping in the search for a father who reportedly ran away with his two young children into woods of Butte County."

 

[CharlestonGal]

It's the actual jeep. If you go to the Butte County Sheriff's Facebook page and view the video of the Polaris backing off of the trailer you can see the jeep in the left of the screen in the background surrounded by crime scene tape (and crime scene tape is used in many investigations and accidents, it doesn't mean that a crime DID occur, they are just preserving evidence)

Thanks, I see that now. Definitely not stuck. So why leave the jeep with children who are not dressed for the weather? Something is wrong here.

 

[pandamonium]

I wonder if they checked the Jeep for gas to see if they possibly ran out. Wonder how cell reception is up there--I'm guessing not good with all of the trees tho.

There used to be an Inn up there (Inskip Inn) but I believe it was turned into a residence. Not sure if it's still around but possibly some remote residences up there they could go to for help if in trouble.

Doesn't say where the family is actually from . . .seems strange as well.

 

[bradfordsleuth]

Search On In Snow-Covered Part Of Butte County For Missing Father, 2 Children

"Several local agencies are helping in the search for a father who reportedly ran away with his two young children into woods of Butte County."

I see alarm bells with the use of the words 'ran away'. I am hopeful that Dad has simply gotten turned around and is waiting patiently for rescue.

 

[pandamonium]

Search On In Snow-Covered Part Of Butte County For Missing Father, 2 Children

"Several local agencies are helping in the search for a father who reportedly ran away with his two young children into woods of Butte County."

Hmm, the wording here implies he ran off with the kids. Not sure if that's just bad reporting as there's still nothing new or different in that report so will refrain from judgment on that one for now.

 

[GraceG]

Hmm, the wording here implies he ran off with the kids. Not sure if that's just bad reporting as there's still nothing new or different in that report so will refrain from judgment on that one for now.

I think that's just bad reporting. The only witness saw him driving the vehicle so there was no one around to determine how they left the jeep. It happens. A plane crash in the news today was a downed "Cessna Sabre Learjet" That's actually three separate types of airplanes (the photo was a Rockwell NA265-65).

 

[CharlestonGal]

Butte County Sheriff

Pics of dad and children now up.

 

[pandamonium]

From Oroville News Live pics:

 

[CharlestonGal]

It's getting dark and I'm really worried. This will be their 2nd night out there without proper clothing.

 

[ClaireNC]

Search On In Snow-Covered Part Of Butte County For Missing Father, 2 Children

 

[pandamonium]

Some reports now showing Michael as age 26, I'm going off the Butte County Sheriff's page which showed age 25 so not sure which is accurate but since Sheriff is most accurate source that we have for now, that's what I based op on.

Also, not sure how to have a mod correct the title . . .Sterling City is spelled incorrectly and should be Stirling City. Wasn't sure if it show Sterling City or Inskip--not much info on first report.

 

[CharlestonGal]

Search Underway in Butte County for Missing Man and His Two Children

Good video of surrounding area and search crews.

 

[TatianaBarbie]

Some reports now showing Michael as age 26, I'm going off the Butte County Sheriff's page which showed age 25 so not sure which is accurate but since Sheriff is most accurate source that we have for now, that's what I based op on.

Also, not sure how to have a mod correct the title . . .Sterling City is spelled incorrectly and should be Stirling City. Wasn't sure if it show Sterling City or Inskip--not much info on first report.

Just report your post and ask mod to correct thread title.

 

[PayrollNerd]

I see alarm bells with the use of the words 'ran away'. I am hopeful that Dad has simply gotten turned around and is waiting patiently for rescue.

Mom/fiancé/wife is posting on the sheriffs office page:

“I'm the mom and fiance of them and just answering the question about if any fight or disagreement before he left. Everything was normal and last spoke about what we were doing for dinner and having a bomb fire that evening when he got back.”

(FYI - I think she means bonfire.)

 

[PayrollNerd]

Mom/fiancé/wife comment from sheriffs office FB page:

“Bailey Curtis I'm the wife and mom. The last thing he told me he was going to do was go wheeling cause he just got a winch and bumper put on his jeep. That's why they went dressed for the conditions. When I found the jeep during my search for them, it was empty so I honked my horn and yelled for them for 15 minutes before I came down to call phone signal and I contacted deputies for help because it is out of character for him to leave the safety of the jeep . If the jeep did have malfunction problems he would have walked down the paved road -Skyway rd. And walked to the nearest place for a landline to call me to go get them. Please pray for my family and please nothing negative .”

She found the Jeep just before 1:00am then, if I understand the timeline.

 

[CharlestonGal]

delete