The search for Yamato Tanooka, the 7-year-old Japanese boy whose parents abandoned him in a forest to punish him, is now in its fourth day, prompting the worst fears for his fate.

According to media reports, Yamato went missing in a Hokkaido forest in northern Japan on Saturday evening after his parents forced him out of the car and drove off because he was misbehaving.

A search team of 150 rescue workers have been despatched to scour the area, which is known to be inhabited by bears, to look for the boy.

SEE ALSO: Photo of hostage Japanese journalist released nearly a year after he entered Syria

The Associated Press reported that Yamato's parents initially denied that they had left their son behind and that he had gone missing while the family were picking wild vegetables. After much probing, the parents finally admitted to the authorities that Yamato was made to get out of the car and left behind to "discipline" him.

Yamato's parents alleged that the boy had earlier thrown rocks at people and cars while the family was down by the river, and therefore decided to teach him a lesson on the drive back home. When Yamato's father returned to the spot where he got off a few minutes later to retrieve him, he was nowhere to be found.

The boy's father has since given a statement to local reporters, and said, "I regret what I did to my child." He maintained that the reason he didn't tell the police the truth in the beginning was due to embarrassment of the huge consequence that came up from parents disciplining their child.

Since Yamato's disappearance made national headlines, netizens have expressed their outrage toward the boy's parents.

Just heard about poor little Yamato Tanooka, absolutely heartbreaking 😔 Those stupid parents! — Tor thatspeachy (@tornumber9) May 30, 2016

The authorities are now looking into filing charges against Yamato's parents for child abandonment. The search has also intensified and expanded deeper into the forest.

Additional reporting by The Associated Press.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.



