Wichita Police Officer Charley Davidson said that the Wichita police started a new search for the missing five-year-old Lucas Hernandez at Cottonwood Park following a new information they have gathered.
The news was published in the latest article of The Wichita Eagle. Moreover, the local news site also said that the Wichita Police are asking Wichita residents to not disturb anything that can be considered evidence after Deputy Police Chief Gavin Seiler said that the search for the missing boy is now a criminal investigation. Following the missing report, the police have searched for Lucas in the neighborhood of his home and at four Wichita parks — Chisholm Creek, Dr. Glen Dey, Harrison and Cottonwood. The police have deployed over a hundred officers, dogs, horses and drones.
Lucas was reported missing by his stepmother, Emily Glass on Feb. 17 at about 6:15 p.m. She told the police that she left Lucas in his bedroom at about 3 p.m. on the same day. She then took a shower and a nap. When she woke up, she told the authorities she couldn't find Lucas. The police said there is no evidence of an abduction.
Glass was recently charged with endangering her one-year-old child. She was originally charged with two counts of child endangerment — one for Lucas and one for the one-year-old child. Wichita Police said that they found vital information regarding the allegations of child endangerment for her child. She is held in the Sedgwick County Jail in lieu of her $50,000 bond.
Lucas' father, Jonathan Hernandez, was reported to have been away when Lucas went missing. He and Glass were said to have a violent relationship. Houchin, the great-grandmother of Lucas told The Wichita Eagle that Lucas told her that he did not like Glass because she was mean to him. Furthermore, she said that Lucas told her that Glass threw water in his face and then kicked and dragged him across a room. Lucas' great aunt, Sally Rasmussen said that she alongside other relatives believe Lucas was being abused.
Lucas is five years old. He has brown hair and brown eyes. He is approximately 4 feet tall and weighs about 60 pounds. He was last seen wearing a gray shirt with a bear on it, black sweats and white socks. For those who have information regarding his whereabouts, please call 911 or (316) 383-4661 immediately.
