Search for missing 2-year-old back on; missing volunteers found

CHESTER COUNTY, TN (WMC) - A child from Pinson, Tennessee, is missing and could be in danger.

Chester County deputies have suspended their search for 2-year-old Noah Israel Chamberlin.

Officials originally believed six volunteers were missing, but they were waiting for help when one volunteer was injured.

Noah was last seen going into the woods near his family's home in Pinson, Tennessee.

Near 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Noah was hiking with his grandmother and 4-year-old sister in the woods behind his grandmother's house. His grandmother said she was focused on Noah's sister for a minute and when she looked up, Noah was gone.

Noah has not been seen since. Canines are assisting in the search, which includes the TBI and several other law enforcement agencies as well as hundreds of volunteers.

So far, they have no clue where Noah is.

Volunteers are being told they must have boots, gloves and a hat before they are being sent over to the search site via bus.

A candlelight vigil was held Saturday night with a symbolic flame of hope that thousands in Pinson are clinging to.

Chester County Sheriff Blair Weaver does not believe there is any foul play.

"None whatsoever," Weaver said. "We have no reason to believe there's any foul play."

Law enforcement from across the state are being helped by thousands of volunteers searching around the clock.

"Since Thursday and I think, (I've) maybe had less than an hour of sleep," volunteer Ricky Alexander said.

"Been cold, wet, muddy, lots of hills, lot of hard terrain, lot of swamps, lot of bottoms. I just pray that the boy is good," volunteer David Terry said.

As the hours go by, some are more optimistic than others, but everyone is concerned.

"You can't give up on...there's a 2-year-old out there and it's cold. We've got to get this baby home," Alexander said.

Sheriff Weaver remains the man most confident in the search.

"It is a search and rescue mission," Weaver said. "We have total faith that we're going to find Noah and we're going to bring him home safe."

Law enforcement searched through the evening, but now the sheriff is asking for volunteers to resume helping.

"We are still searching and we will continue searching through the night," Weaver said. "We will need volunteers to respond here where they were at."

Weaver is asking for any volunteers to report to Pinson Baptist Church by 6 p.m. Sunday.

If you have seen Noah call the Chester County Sheriff's Office at (731) 989-2787 or the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.

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