Authorities said Tuesday they believe a toddler who vanished on a mountain hike 3½ years ago was attacked by an animal, probably a mountain lion.
Three-year-old Jaryd Atadero's clothing was found last Thursday in rugged terrain not far from where he disappeared, said Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden.
Jaryd's fleece pullover, tattered pants and shoes were found in the Comanche Peak Wilderness Area west of Fort Collins, several hundred feet above the trail where he disappeared on Oct. 2, 1999. He was on a hiking trip that day with a church group, and had been running ahead.
...Searchers spent six days in the area after Jaryd vanished but found nothing.