Crime & Safety

VIDEO: No Leads In Case Of Missing Autistic Boy, Police Chief Says

We have "no leads," said Menifee police Chief John Hill as he spoke during a Tuesday afternoon press conference about a missing 11-year-old autistic boy, Terry Smith.

By Toni McAllister and Maggie Avants

Despite coordinated search efforts by law enforcement agencies from across the Southland, including the FBI, a Riverside County Sheriff’s official says there are no leads in the case of a Menifee boy who went missing over the weekend.

We have “no leads,” said Menifee police Chief John Hill as he spoke during a Tuesday afternoon press conference.

Hill detailed the search efforts, which have expanded across the city and neighboring communities. Doors have been knocked on, and local registered sex offenders have been contacted, Hill said.

Watch the attached video for more of Hill’s remarks.

Find out what's happening in Temeculawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy Albert Martinez, the boy, Terry Dewayne Smith, 11, was last seen about 7:30 p.m. Saturday by his older half brother. The boys’ mother returned to their home in the 33000 block of Helen Lane around 1 a.m. Sunday and thought she saw both sons in their respective beds. 

She later realized Terry was not home and she reported the boy missing at about 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Martinez confirmed.

Find out what's happening in Temeculawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Terry is autistic and takes regular medication, officials have said. He was last seen wearing light blue mesh basketball shorts and white socks. 

Terry, who also goes by the nickname JuJu, is 4 feet 8 inches tall, weighs 76 pounds, and has dark blond hair and brown eyes. 

Foul play is not suspected but has not been ruled out, Martinez continued.

Hundreds of volunteers have assisted with the search, mostly helping by handing out fliers, the deputy added.

Click here for a report about the volunteer efforts.

Menifee Mayor Scott Mann thanked all law enforcement agencies and volunteers on hand Tuesday, saying they have turned out for an “arduous task” under “arduous environmental conditions.”

Temperatures Monday and Tuesday have topped the 100-degree mark, and more hot weather is expected tomorrow, but Mann said searchers are not giving up. 

"We will maintain our vigilance, we will continue searching, we will find Terry," he said. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.