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The Perth community has rallied around the family of two-year-old autistic boy Sam Trott who has been missing since yesterday morning.
Sam was last seen at about 10.30am yesterday morning when he wandered out of the family home in Landsdale as the front door was left open while tradesmen who were at the residence installing mirrors.
Police have launched an appeal for anyone who may have any information about the missing toddler, as they have combed surrounding streets, parks on bushland on foot and horseback.
Anyone who sees Sam or may have any information on his whereabouts is asked to call Police immediately on 131 444.
Concerns for Sam’s welfare increase as the time period he is missing reaches nearly 24 hours. “Check your backyards, check your front yards, check in your bushes,” Sam’s father Matt Trott said.
“If you’ve got little drains, you know, he’s autistic, so he may not play with normal toys, so he could be hiding in the garden.”
It’s feared that Sam may have gone a fair distance since he first disappeated:
“We’re asking anyone (to look for him), maybe within sort of a 5km radius,” Matt continued.
Police have been assisted in their search by police dogs, local rangers, SES volunteers and they have been inundated with hundreds of local residents and community residents hoping to help.
WA Police have released a statement, thanking the community for its help:
“The help and spirit to find Sam is overwhelming, everyone should be proud for such an amazing amount of help that continues to be provided by the community.”
Grandfather Geoff Trott said Sam does not talk much so he may not respond to his name being called.
He said: “We’re just hopeful at this moment he’s in somebody’s backyard, maybe sifting through a bit of sand or something.”
Sam’s mother Lyndal said it took only 30 seconds for their son to vanish from their home.
“He doesn’t know how to open doors but the door was wide open,” she said.
Sam is blond-haired and was last seen wearing a blue polo shirt and shorts with a grey stripe.
The police have also issued the following reminder to all local residents:
“Reminder to all, before you leave to work or leave your drive-ways to please check under, around and inside vehicles just in case Sam has crawled under or inside any of those places overnight.”
Anyone who sees Sam or may have any information on his whereabouts is asked to call Police immediately on 131 444.
