Lemhi County Sheriff Answers Questions about DeOrr Kunz case.

SALMON - The Lemhi County Sheriff believes missing Idaho Falls toddler DeOrr Kunz Jr. will be found, even though it's been nearly six weeks since he disappeared.

In an extensive interview with EastIdahoNews.com, Sheriff Lynn Bowerman said nothing has been ruled out in the investigation although he doesn't believe the child was abducted.

"I think an abduction is one of the least likely events," Bowerman said. "Grandpa was sitting within 20-30 yards of the only roadway into the campground and absolutely no one was seen at that lower campground coming or going."

Bowerman is "ninety-nine percent sure" DeOrr was at the campground with his parents, DeOrr Kunz Sr. and Jessica Mitchell, great-grandfather, and Isaac Reinwand, a friend of the grandfather, when the two-year-old was last seen.

Early in the investigation, there were conflicting reports the family arrived at the Timber Creek Campground in Leadore on Friday, July 10.

However, Bowerman said the group actually arrived late on Thursday, July 9th. The next morning,

DeOrr's parents said they took their son to a store about 20 minutes from the campsite.

"I don’t believe the store has a surveillance [system] but we have a receipt that shows they purchased certain items," Bowerman said. "The time was stamped on the receipt so we believe that’s where they went."

When asked if the family was anywhere else during the trip, Bowerman said they stopped for diesel fuel traveling from Idaho Fall to Leadore but the gas station doesn't have surveillance video either.

After the Friday morning shopping trip, the family returned to camp and DeOrr’s parents said they left the child with his great-grandfather while they went exploring.

"Isaac [the family friend] was in the same general proximity," Bowerman said. "He’s downstream, they’re upstream and they’re all within probably 100-150 feet of each other."

When the parents returned, they couldn't find DeOrr and called 911.

Weeks of extensive searches focusing on a three mile radius around the campsite resulted in nothing.

Meanwhile, Bowerman said DeOrr's parents and the great-grandfather were questioned multiple times by Lemhi detectives.

"Those three have been very cooperative," Bowerman said. "They’ve given us everything we ask for and I feel real good about the parents and the grandfather."

Reinwand has also been questioned and Bowerman revealed Kunz Sr. and Mitchell had never met him before this camping trip.

"I’m not getting any feeling that he’s not being truthful," said Bowerman. "He’s come up to the area on a second occasion with me and I think he’s been very truthful and I appreciate his help."

Bowerman said everyone at the campsite has had their vehicles and homes searched several times and Bonneville County deputies and the FBI are now working with Lemhi County detectives.

"All four have voluntarily taken polygraphs and right now they've been turned over to the FBI," Bowerman said. "We’ve given the FBI lots of items to analyze behaviorly and we’ve given them some physical evidence."

Bowerman wouldn't go into details about what specifically has been turned over to the FBI but he said he wants "all bases covered" to help solve the case.

"We'll wait until we get the report from the FBI," Boweman said. "It's going to be critical in this case."

Bowerman said it will take 6-8 weeks until the FBI has results. Meanwhile the search for DeOrr will continue and, with hunting season starting soon, Bowerman believes someone in the Lemhi mountains may discover the child.

Bowerman said his office has received hundreds of tips in this case and he continues to ask the public to contact his office at 208-756-8980 with any information about DeOrr's disappearance.