FRUITLAND — “My heart still breaks for the family. We’re doing everything we can to help get this case solved.”
www.argusobserver.com
It’s been 3 years since Michael Vaughan went missing
“My heart still breaks for the family. We’re doing everything we can to help get this case solved.”
Those were the words of Fruitland Police Chief JD Huff during an interview on Tuesday, just ahead of the three-year mark of Michael Vaughan’s
disappearance. The boy was last seen on July 27, 2021, at the age of 5, in the neighborhood outside his home in Fruitland.
Although it’s been three years, the case remains an active one for the Fruitland Police Department. Huff says that every week there are new tips and new leads.
“There were three today,” he said. “And that’s keeping two detectives very busy over here.”
Huff said the goal is still to try to follow up on everything, because “we don’t want to leave any stone unturned.”
He said law enforcement has “a firm understanding of what happened,” but are at the mercy of Payette County Prosecutor Mike Duke to put the case together and move it forward. Huff
handed over his investigation to Duke a year ago.
The case is complex and with three year’s worth of investigatory evidence compiled, there is a lot for the prosecutor to continue going through. Huff said there are “terabytes and terabytes and terabytes of data.” The chief said he could not speculate on a potential time frame, but noted that it remains “in the works.”
PROSECUTION TEAM 'PREPARING FOR NEXT STEPS'
In October of 2023, Duke said he “expected to charge” the case, “but there are a lot of complexities and I am being careful with that.”
In an email on Wednesday, he stated that he could not comment much more on the case as it is still active.
"I can tell you I have put together a prosecution team and we are preparing for next steps," he said. "This case will live with everyone who has touched it and we will do everything in our power to get justice for young Michael Vaughan and his family.
"I know the family and law enforcement are in people’s hearts and prayers and I thank and appreciate the support we have from our community and law enforcement partners.
"I will say that I am, quite frankly, impressed with the dedication and diligence with which Fruitland PD have pursued and investigated this case. That team has given this everything they have and their work product reflects that," Duke concluded.
SUSPECTS REMAIN THE SAME
Huff said the suspects remain the same as those previously named. However, there still is nobody in custody or currently facing charges in relation to Michael’s disappearance.
Sarah Wondra, one of four suspects named, once faced a charge for failing to report the death of a person — namely Michael. She was arrested on those charges and ended up in a state hospital for a mental evaluation before heading to court. In April of 2023 the charge was
dismissed without prejudice (meaning it can be brought to trial again).
Other suspects include Wondra’s husband, Stacey Wondra, as well as Adrienne Lucienne and Brandon Shurtliff, who were said to be living with the couple during Michael’s disappearance.
The Wondra's are both incarcerated for unrelated reasons.
‘OUR HOPE AND PRAYER’
Huff said he is not able to share any investigatory information, including whether there were any lab results that came from the search of the Wondra’s residence and yard.
Michael still hasn’t been “recovered,” Huff said, but there is hope that will change.
“We’re hoping for fresh information to lead us to the recovery of Michael. That is our hope and prayer every day,” he said.
Until then, it’s not easy for anybody, not Michael’s family and not for Huff and his staff.
“But we’re dealing with it, we are working with it every day,” he said. “I think it’s going to continue to be a dark cloud until we can bring some justice for the
family.
SHOW OF SUPPORT
Similar to the support ride in August of 2021, another one will be held on Saturday, which will end with a prayer at the Fruitland City Park.
“This ride is simply to show support for the family, bring more awareness to this case, show that the community has not forgotten this young boy and to pray for answers that the family so desperately needs,” reads information from the Brooke Amber and Monkey’s Missing Children Project of Idaho Facebook page.
Those who don’t ride motorcycles are welcome to join; but, they will be positioned at the end of the ride, according to the post.
The ride will begin on the corner of Highway 30 and Highway 95, just off the Interstate 84 exit to Fruitland. Participants will meet at Chevron at 6 p.m., with "kickstands up" at 6:30 p.m., sharp.
The ride will last about 45 minutes to an hour and will pass by Michael’s home. It will end at Fruitland City Park for information and prayer.
“Come out this Saturday and help us show support to this family who so desperately needs closure,” reads
a post about the event on Tuesday. “Let this be a show of force for those who know what happened to step forward.”
www.ktvb.com
Ever!
