At the start of their third day of searching, police sounded a note of frustration on Facebook, where the department has been communicating with residents about the search. The department asked for patience as the search continues, referencing queries from residents who have questioned why police have done certain things and not others.



People have posted comments on the page mentioning rumors of a multiple homicide related to the disappearance and asking why there hasn't been an Amber Alert. Police have said there was not an Amber Alert because they believe the child was not taken far and denied that other people were found dead at the scene of the child's disappearance.



Via Facebook, police said they did not want to release details that would harm the investigation.



"I realize that some of you out there feel you should be informed of every detail right away but that is not possible for what should be obvious reasons," the department wrote on Facebook.



Around midday Thursday, Brooks said Joshua still had not been found and that the chief feared the boy had been "harmed or worse."



Police continued their search late into the day even as hope of the child's survival waned. Zion Mayor Lane Harrison said officers methodically searched the city of 25,000 "in grid fashion, leaving no stone unturned" and were unable to find him.



Officials went door to door "painstakingly" trying to gather information from "anyone who may have seen something," police said, stressing that it appeared to be an isolated incident.



Brooks asked residents to conduct a "detailed search of their own property and specifically their garbage cans," which he said were "an obvious place to dispose or hide anything of evidentiary value."



Trash pickup around the baby's home, in the 2300 block of Galilee Avenue, was to be delayed until Friday, police said. An orange biohazard sticker had been placed on the door of the first-floor apartment.



"My hope is that the baby's still alive," Brooks said. "My fear is no."



Given the child's age, it is unlikely he could survive alone for an extended time, the chief said.



Police said that in addition to the boyfriend, they have spoken to Joshua's mother and father.