Investigators follow new lead in the disappearance of autistic La Porte City teen Jake Wilson

LA PORTE CITY, Ia. — Investigators are following up on a new lead in the disappearance of a missing La Porte City teenager with mild autism, but say they need the community's help.

Tony Thompson, Black Hawk County sheriff, expressed frustration Saturday after a call the day before from law enforcement for people to send in photos taken on the day Jake Wilson, 16, went missing.

But investigators received a couple of new leads Friday night, including an “interesting” one officials are following up on. The sheriff's office is asking anyone who saw a person walking in the area of Commercial Street and Bishop Avenue around 8:30 p.m. April 7 to come forward.

Wilson was last seen at 9 that night going for a walk in the small town of 2,200 people. By 10 p.m., local law enforcement had begun searching for Wilson. Since then, authorities estimate that they have received search help from 2,000 volunteers and professionals.

The FBI has set up a website for people to submit tips and upload any pictures that were taken in La Porte City the day Wilson disappeared, but so far investigators report few images.

On Friday, Thompson quipped that the website was a demand of residents, not a request. On Saturday, he dropped any lighthearted demeanor about the matter.

“I’ll be frank with you,” he said. “I’m very frustrated that we have not had more uploads, that we have not had more engagement.”

Authorities believe a significant number of photos were taken that day because of a family reunion and a bike ride in the area.

On Saturday night, La Porte City Police Chief Chris Brecher thanked searchers and showed reporters a large map indicating the places that have been searched, many of them multiple times.

"By no means are we done," he said. "But we are at a point in our search operation where we have to scale back."

The worst thing that can happen at this juncture, Thompson said Saturday morning and Brecher reiterated later, is for the public's attention to the matter begin to wane.

"We recognize that our community is very resilient; they move on very quickly, but this is not one we are going to let them move on," Thompson said. "I made a promise to the family very early on that we are here to the end. We are here to the finale.”

Brecher pleaded for the public to keep sharing photos of Jake and any information they can think of.

'We want you to come home.'

In a written statement, the Wilson family thanked everyone in the community who has helped so far and asked that the community continue to aid investigators.

A friend of Wilson's family, Chris Taylor, gave the statement in a shaky voice at a press briefing Saturday.

She read off a few reasons why the family is so proud of their son — his perseverance in winning special Olympics awards and performing in choirs — along with examples of how Jake Wilson is just like most other kids in the community.

The letter read that Wilson’s favorite hobby is exploring nature. He would fish and bring back trinkets from his small expeditions. As most in the town know, he loves to eat ice cream.

“As he grew up, he displayed odd behaviors that were similar to that with autism,” read the statement. “Even with these challenges, Jake grew with the support of family, friends and the good people of this community.”

They closed the appeal to their neighbors by saying that they just wanted their son back.

“Jake, we love you,” Taylor read. “And we want you to come home.”

'All we can do'

The search for Wilson continued Saturday. About 50 people, some in kayaks, others in dry suits, picked up where they left off at Wolf Creek on Friday.

In rain and at times light hail, the group removed the log piles that litter the creeks, clearing the way for sonar equipment to map out the surface of the water.

"We'll find Jake. We'll bring him home. That's our job," Brecher said Saturday night.

Previous Coverage:

Day 6 of search: 'It feels like a cloud is hanging over the community'

As divers look for teen, mother says 'everybody is wanting him back'

Hundreds search Iowa town for 16-year-old

Search continues for Jake Wilson, who disappeared Saturday

An Iowa autistic teen is missing. This is why it's a common problem for families.

Full statement from Jake Wilson's family:

"We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support we have experienced over the past week during this impossibly difficult time for our family. We love Jake and we want him to be home with us.

"We would like to share a little bit about Jake. Jake may act like a typical teenager, but he has struggled from the difficulties of mild intellectual disorder, which he has had since birth. As he grew up he displayed odd behaviors that were similar to that of autism. Even with these challenges, Jake perseveres through the support of family, friends, and the good people of this community. He is able to play sports and even made first place in long jump and second place in softball with the Special Olympics. Jake loves music and performing in choir. The one thing Jake loves to do and dominates at is playing his Xbox just like any other teenager. I am sure most parents can relate to this.

"One of his favorite hobbies is exploring nature. Jake is an avid nature lover. He loves to fish and collect all kinds of treasures like antlers, empty shells, and all kinds of other things a teenage boy would collect when being outdoors. His favorite chore is feeding the chickens. He loves visiting his Uncle Chad and Aunt Mel’s acreage and loves getting a turkey or chicken egg while collecting feathers from the coups.

"Jake loves going to the park in town and swing. We built a swing for him in our backyard because he loves it so much. Jake loves ice cream. Jake loves being Jake and we love him more than we can possibly describe.

"We want Jake to come home. We are at a loss for words for how appreciative we are for everyone’s help in making this happen. During this difficult time we ask that the media, volunteers, and community members to help us get any information that can help us find him.

"Jake, we love you and we want you to come home.

"Again, thank you everyone for all of your help."