Desperate search for missing six-year-old continues into second day after boy disappeared from Florida beach resort
- Enrique Cortez-Dubon, 6, was last seen at around 11:30am on July 5 on the beachfront at Shores of Panama resort in Panama City Beach
- Enrique’s family realized he was missing some time after noon and immediately contacted law enforcement
- More than 80 first responders were dispatched to search for the young boy on Monday, Panama City Beach Police Chief J.R. Talamantez told reporters
- Authorities are utilizing drones, helicopters and are performing dive searches in an effort to locate the boy but as of Tuesday he has not been found
- Talamantez is asking the public to contact authorities if they spot the boy who stands at three-feet-tall and was last wearing teal blue shirt and light blue shorts
Police are continuing their search for a missing six-year-old boy who disappeared from a Florida beach while his family was on vacation.
Enrique Cortez-Dubon, 6, was last seen at around 11:30 a.m. on July 5 on the beachfront of Shores of Panama resort in popular vacation destination Panama City Beach.
The six-year-old and his family were at the resort while on vacation from the Atlanta area, arriving on Saturday with plans to stay one week, the Panama City News Herald reported.
Enrique’s family realized he was missing some time after noon and immediately contacted law enforcement.
Police are searching for Enrique Cortez-Dubon, 6, who was last seen at around 11:30 a.m. on July 5 on the beachfront at Shores of Panama resort in Panama City Beach
The six-year-old boy went missing while on vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida with his family
More than 80 first responders were dispatched to search for the young boy on Monday, Panama City Beach Police Chief J.R. Talamantez told reporters.
Members of the Beach Police, Panama City Police Department, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, U.S. Marshals Service, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, U.S. Coast Guard and local firefighters have assisted in the search, the News Herald reported.
The chief added that authorities are utilizing drones, helicopters and are performing dive searches in an effort to locate the boy.
Talamantez is asking the public to contact authorities if they spot the boy who stands at three-feet-tall and was last wearing teal blue shirt and light blue shorts.
‘We desperately need the public’s help,’ Talamantez said. ‘If anyone saw anything, we need to know. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the family. As we know, this is every parent’s worst nightmare.’
Enrique was last seen between Majestic Beach Resort and the Boardwalk Beach Resort, especially around Pineapple Willy’s, between 11:15 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Monday, July 5, police said.
It is not known if Enrique was abducted or if he wandered off into the beach waters, but in a statement police mentioned current forecasts predict 10 to 30 miles per hour wind guests from Tropical Storm Elsa to possibly start in the area later today and that beach flags are currently red and expected to be downgraded to yellow this morning, the News Herald reported.
Police are asking anyone who was in the area around the time Enrique was last seen to check their phones for any photos that may have captured the six-year-old and to upload it to the department’s cyber tip site.
‘We are asking all visitors and locals to please check your cell phone photographs and videos taken beachside in the area between Majestic Beach Resort and the Boardwalk Beach Resort, especially around Pineapple Willy’s, between 11:15 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Monday, July 5,’ Talamantez requested.
Anyone with information on Enrique’s whereabouts are asked to contact the Panama City Beach Police Department at (850) 233-5000.