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IA XAVIOR HARRELSON: Missing from Poweshiek County, IA - 27 May 2021 - Age 10 *Found Deceased*

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Authorities searching for 10-year-old boy who disappeared in Poweshiek County​

Authorities are searching for a 10-year-old boy who went missing from a mobile home park in Poweshiek County on Thursday morning.

Xavior Harrelson was last seen around 11 a.m. Thursday in Montezuma, according to the Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Office.

He was last seen wearing a red T-shirt, blue pajama pants and black high-top shoes. He has brown hair and blue eyes and is about 4 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs 100 pounds.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation joined the investigation Friday.

Xavior left his home in the Spruce Village Mobile Home Park and has not been seen since, Assistant DCI Director Mitch Mortvedt said. The boy’s mother believed Xavior had gone out to play with friends, he said.

“Obviously, we’re very concerned,” Mortvedt said. “This is a young boy — he’s only 10 years old — and he’s been missing for more than 24 hours.”

The mobile home park is in northwest Montezuma, less than half a mile from Diamond Lake County Park, which Mortvedt described as a “vast wooded area.”

Mortvedt said it’s unknown if there is any criminal aspect to the boy’s disappearance, “but we are treating it like there is and deploying as many resources as we can to find him.”

“Right now, we are double- and triple-checking his friends’ houses and the places he is known to hang out. We are canvassing the immediate areas and knocking on doors and talking to people, and we’ll expand the search from there if we need to,” he said.


MEDIA - XAVIOR HARRELSON: Missing from Poweshiek County, IA since 27 May 2021 - Age 10
 
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Special report: What happened to Xavior Harrelson?​

What happened to Xavior Harrelson? That question remains five months after the boy's body was discovered in Poweshiek County.

Laura Terrell reports on where the investigation stands right now and how Xavior's advocates are still fighting for justice.

 

Special report: What happened to Xavior Harrelson?​

What happened to Xavior Harrelson? That question remains five months after the boy's body was discovered in Poweshiek County.

Laura Terrell reports on where the investigation stands right now and how Xavior's advocates are still fighting for justice.


Worth trying to remember this one as something still isn't happening here. Haven't thought of it in a bit sadly. I really thought after finding him the truth would come out and more would come.... It should move into the spotlight as one to keep on and interest in. Imo.
 

Investigators still following up on leads in death of Xavior Harrelson​

Investigators are still working to solve the case of the death of 10-year-old Xavior Harrelson.

The Iowa DCI says they recovered all of Xavior’s remains, but won’t publicly reveal a cause of death.

Investigators hoped for a break in the case in October when federal agents executed a search warrant at a home in New Sharon. DCI agents stood nearby in case there was a connection to Xavior’s case.

The federal warrant is still sealed. Mitch Mortvedt, with the Iowa DCI, says agents are still actively following up on dozens of leads every week, reviewing and reanalyzing people’s statements.

“You hope that you are starting to be able to connect the dots,” Mortvedt said. “Haven’t ruled that completely out.”
 

1 year later: A look back at the days following Xavior Harrelson's disappearance​

If you stroll through the center of town in Montezuma, you'll still see the orange ribbons tied to trees and light poles in honor of Xavior Harrelson, and the memories of the day he disappeared are still on the minds of residents.


Today, the search for answers continues.

"We still have personnel agents and deputies assigned to it that are currently working it on an active basis, constantly evaluating old information, a little bit of new information coming in," Mortvedt said.

Investigators said there is information they cannot share, like how Xavior died or if they have any suspects. They did say, however, the public's help is still needed.

"There's someone or people out there that know what happened," Mortvedt said. "We implore them to come forward with any information."

Meanwhile, a community anxiously awaits answers.

"I get the feeling — the urgency that we need to have a resolution here," Bolen said.
 

Community still waits for answers a year after Xavior Harrelson’s disappearance​

Family and community members continue to grieve for Xavior Harrelson one year after the young boy went missing, and eight months after his body was found in a soybean field north of town — with still no word from investigators how he died.


Now, as what would have been Xavior’s 12th birthday approaches, little is publicly known about what happened to him. Montezuma remains decorated with orange ribbons, his favorite color, and residents are eager for any updates about the case, according to Mayor Jacki Bolen.

“I think everyone is very anxious about Xavior receiving some justice. This wasn’t an accident and I think everyone is pretty much on the same page. We would love to have Xavior given some justice,” Bolen said.

Law enforcement has been tight-lipped, however, since Xavior’s body was found. Investigators with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Office haven’t released his cause of death or any other information about the case since the body was identified in October 2021.

“Unfortunately there is nothing to update publicly. Law enforcement continues to diligently work on the investigation,” Mitch Mortvedt, the assistant director of the DCI, told The Gazette in an email.

Weber said DCI investigators have shared some information with her and other family members about the status of the investigation, but until something breaks, she can’t share anything publicly.

The FBI is not actively involved in the investigation, but it stands ready to assist if a situation arises where it could provide resources or expertise, according to Mortvedt.


Bolen said since so much time has passed, she has come to believe that Xavior’s disappearance was an isolated incident. She hopes, for the sake of his family and community, more information will eventually come to light about what happened to him.

In the meantime, his family continues to remember the joy that Xavior brought to their lives.

“He was always happy no matter what was going on. He always had a smile on his face. … He just enjoyed being around people,” Weber said.
 

Community still waits for answers a year after Xavior Harrelson’s disappearance​

Family and community members continue to grieve for Xavior Harrelson one year after the young boy went missing, and eight months after his body was found in a soybean field north of town — with still no word from investigators how he died.


Now, as what would have been Xavior’s 12th birthday approaches, little is publicly known about what happened to him. Montezuma remains decorated with orange ribbons, his favorite color, and residents are eager for any updates about the case, according to Mayor Jacki Bolen.

“I think everyone is very anxious about Xavior receiving some justice. This wasn’t an accident and I think everyone is pretty much on the same page. We would love to have Xavior given some justice,” Bolen said.

Law enforcement has been tight-lipped, however, since Xavior’s body was found. Investigators with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Office haven’t released his cause of death or any other information about the case since the body was identified in October 2021.

“Unfortunately there is nothing to update publicly. Law enforcement continues to diligently work on the investigation,” Mitch Mortvedt, the assistant director of the DCI, told The Gazette in an email.

Weber said DCI investigators have shared some information with her and other family members about the status of the investigation, but until something breaks, she can’t share anything publicly.

The FBI is not actively involved in the investigation, but it stands ready to assist if a situation arises where it could provide resources or expertise, according to Mortvedt.


Bolen said since so much time has passed, she has come to believe that Xavior’s disappearance was an isolated incident. She hopes, for the sake of his family and community, more information will eventually come to light about what happened to him.

In the meantime, his family continues to remember the joy that Xavior brought to their lives.

“He was always happy no matter what was going on. He always had a smile on his face. … He just enjoyed being around people,” Weber said.
What is the holdup/big secret in this case?
 

‘Justice for Xavior’​

Friends and family of Xavior Harrelson lit and released paper lanterns on Saturday night outside of Journey Church in his memory. Harrelson, who was born in Marshalltown and lived in Montezuma, went missing in May 2021 and was later found deceased that September. He was 11 years old. The cause of his death is still under investigation.

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No arrests one year after Xavior Harrelson's remains discovered​

One year after the remains of 10-year-old Xavior Harrelson were discovered in a field northwest of Montezuma, there have been no arrests, no suspects identified and no cause of death released.


But around Montezuma, his hometown, signs of his memory remain.

Orange ribbons were tied up around town early in the search, and orange ribbons remain on the town square today.


The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation says it continues to conduct interviews and analyze cell phone data related to the case.

The division also asks anyone who has even the smallest tip to contact the DCI.

Community members hope answers will one day come.

"I just keep thinking maybe there’s more to it and they can’t release information because it might be detrimental to the case," said Kristi Chedester, a Poweshiek County resident. "And I just keep holding out that that’s the case."
 
Actual evidence that could secure a conviction??? It only takes one person to not believe in the case to destroy it when it comes to trial.
Yes but if they don't have it in a year after finding a body then they very likely never will. I guess my point is there must not be anything from the scene that led to anything but there is no word of any kind a year later. If analyzing cell phone data and such takes a year or more, I'd say that's a real problem. In the meantime someone who likely killed a child is on the loose.
 
Mother of Xavior Harrelson arrested for selling meth to undercover cop
The mother of Xavior Harrelson has been arrested and charged with selling meth to an undercover police officer.

A Criminal complaint accuses Sarah Harrelson of selling the undercover officer more than $700 of meth over two days with another woman in Des Moines back in February.

Harrelson was not booked into jail until October 31 of this year.
 
Mother of Xavior Harrelson arrested for selling meth to undercover cop
The mother of Xavior Harrelson has been arrested and charged with selling meth to an undercover police officer.

A Criminal complaint accuses Sarah Harrelson of selling the undercover officer more than $700 of meth over two days with another woman in Des Moines back in February.

Harrelson was not booked into jail until October 31 of this year.

Oh no, could this have something to do with it?
 

Mother of Xavior Harrelson to plead guilty in drug case​

The mother of a boy who went missing and was found dead months later, is pleading guilty to charges in an unrelated drug case.

Court records show Sarah Harrelson will be sentenced in March. She plans to plead guilty to selling methamphetamine to an undercover officer in Des Moines last year.

Prosecutors are recommending a 10-year suspended sentence and probation.
 

Mother of Xavior Harrelson to plead guilty in drug case​

The mother of a boy who went missing and was found dead months later, is pleading guilty to charges in an unrelated drug case.

Court records show Sarah Harrelson will be sentenced in March. She plans to plead guilty to selling methamphetamine to an undercover officer in Des Moines last year.

Prosecutors are recommending a 10-year suspended sentence and probation.

10 year suspended sentence? Why?
 
10 year suspended sentence? Why?
May be due to a first time offender law.
Also, if taken to a jury trial, she recently dealt with the loss of her missing/death of a child which was high profile media case.
Add to that, she's a double amputee.

Just my thoughts on why it would be in the courts best interest to make this recommendation to the court.
 
May be due to a first time offender law.
Also, if taken to a jury trial, she recently dealt with the loss of her missing/death of a child which was high profile media case.
Add to that, she's a double amputee.

Just my thoughts on why it would be in the courts best interest to make this recommendation to the court.
They are also probably looking at the cost effectiveness of her being incarcerated with being a double amputee with accomodations, etc. A very strict probation with urine screening and having to meet certain criteria as in getting a job, etc and the promise of her having to serve time if breaking probation would be good.
 

Francesca Block
Des Moines Register
March 15, 2023

The mother of a Montezuma boy who went missing in May 2021 was given two years probation for selling meth.

Sarah Harrelson, 43, pleaded guilty in January to delivery of a controlled substance, a class C felony. Court records said Harrelson sold $620 worth of meth to an undercover police officer in February 2022.

Her plea came with a recommendation of up to 10 years in prison, but a judge Tuesday decided to suspend Harrelson's 10-year sentence and instead put her on two years of probation.
 

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