A body found in a rural field was identified Wednesday as that of a 17-year-old Southern California girl who was likely kidnapped while walking to a friend's home after a summer class. 
 
 Moreno Valley residents wearing T-shirts of missing teen Norma Lopez, react as authorities confirm that a body was identified through dental records as Norma Lopez, during a news conference on Wednesday,... (Associated Press) 
 
 Moreno Valley residents react as authorities confirm that a body was identified through dental records as Norma Lopez, during a news conference on Wednesday, July 21, 2010, in Moreno Valley, Calif. A... (Associated Press) 
 
 FILE - This undated file image provided by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department shows Norma Lopez, who has been missing since July 15, 2010, after failing to return from a summer school class. An... (Associated Press) 
 
 Riverside County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Joseph Borja, at podium, confirms that a body was identified through dental records as Norma Lopez, during a news conference on Wednesday, July 21, 2010, in... (Associated Press) 
 
 An autopsy confirmed the identity of Norma Lopez, but investigators would not release the cause of death. 
 
 "I don't want to believe it's her," family friend Melanie Villarreal, 18, told The Associated Press. "We know she's in a better place." 
 
 Police and the FBI have not identified a suspect and have asked the public for help in the investigation. 
 
 "We do have a few leads that we're still following up ... but I wouldn't say that we're any closer," Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Joseph Borja said. 
 
 About 2,000 people gathered around an athletic field at Lopez's school Wednesday evening for a vigil where 16-year-old friend Moises Michel remembered how Lopez loved dance, especially merengue and salsa. 
 
 "Whenever we were bored we'd just dance with each other, we'd get up and dance," he said. "I'm used to seeing her every day smiling. I'm just in shock because I can't believe it." 
 
 The discovery of the body was reported Tuesday just hours after Lopez's anguished family held a press conference to plead for her return, and authorities said they had no clues and announced a $35,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever abducted her. 
 
 Lopez vanished July 15 after leaving a summer school class at Valley View High School, where she would have been a senior this year. Authorities said she was heading to meet a friend. 
 
 When she didn't show up, her younger sister and a friend went to look for her, found some of her personal items in a field 1 1/2 blocks from the school, and called authorities, Borja said. 
 
 The field, a well-known neighborhood shortcut, is off a street that dead-ends at the base of boulder-studded hills cut with trails. Homes line one side, but in the blazing Wednesday heat the expanse of dirt and dry stubble was deserted. 
 
 Searchers fruitlessly covered the area for several days. 
 
 On Tuesday, a resident driving his tractor-mower on another remote field found the body near a stretch of desert road more than two miles away. The decomposed body, shirtless and clad in jeans, was found face-down in a grove of trees in the agricultural area on the eastern edge of Moreno Valley. 
 
 The mix of suburban-style residential sprawl and large rural areas is common in fast-growing Moreno Valley, a city of 186,000 about 60 miles east of Los Angeles between March Air Reserve Base and a swath of unforgiving, rugged terrain known as The Badlands. 
 
 The teen's disappearance drew wide attention across Southern California, where the high-profile abduction-murders of two other teenage girls in San Diego County _ one jogging alone this year and the other walking to school in 2009 _ led to a sex offender who ultimately admitted the killings and is now imprisoned. 
 
 "I believe this has been made personal because we all have children," Borja said. "It's probably our worst nightmare that our kids can just be taken from a street and killed." 
 
 Borja said it was unknown whether the girl was taken by an acquaintance or a stranger. Her boyfriend had been interviewed several times and was cooperative, Borja said. 
 
 He would not provide details on the items found at the site where Lopez was abducted, explaining that releasing further details could hamper the investigation. 
 
 "We haven't caught the suspect who killed Norma so obviously there is at least a murderer out there, and so I would be vigilant, I would be aware," he said. "If I was a parent I would keep track of my children. I would do everything I could to ensure their safety." 
 
 Valley View High School Principal Kristen Hunter said phone notifications had been made to students' parents urging safety precautions. The school has about 3,000 students, with 400 in summer classes. 
 
 Lopez was taking biology over the summer and was doing well in the class, the principal said. 
 
 Hunter said teachers described the teen as a very good student and a quiet girl who never got into trouble. 
 
 On Wednesday, incoming seniors came and went from campus to have their class pictures taken. 
 
 Jennifer Sanchez, 18, said she knew Lopez through a freshman-year club. 
 
 Lopez was sweet and quiet and mostly spent time at school with her older sister, who graduated last year, her younger sister, and her on-and-off boyfriend, Sanchez said. 
 
 "We called them 'the Lopez sisters' because they were really close to each other," Michel said. "They spent a lot of time together." 
 
 (This version CORRECTS A new approach. Updates with details, community vigil, quotes, scene, area description. Corrects that she was walking to a friend's home, not her home. AP Video.) ||||| Authorities on Wednesday positively identified the partially decomposed body found on the desolate outskirts of Moreno Valley as that of Norma Lopez, the 17-year-old high school student who police suspected was abducted after summer school. 
 
 The Riverside County coroner’s office made the determination after a morning autopsy. 
 
 The body was found Tuesday afternoon by a local resident doing yard work in a remote section of town surrounded by wheat fields, just off the 60 Freeway. 
 
 Exposed to the elements during the recent heat wave, the remains were so decomposed that authorities could not immediately determine the sex of the deceased, let alone whether it was Norma's body, said Riverside County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. Joe Borja. 
 
 Borja said investigators still have no suspects in the case, although a newer model green SUV was seen speeding away from the area where Norma disappeared. 
 
 Norma was reported missing about 12:30 p.m. Thursday by her older sister, Sonja, after she failed to return home from a summer biology class at Valley View High School. She was out of class by 10 a.m. and had plans to meet her older sister and a friend, authorities said. 
 
 Investigators said they found some of Norma's belongings, and signs of a struggle, in a vacant field along Cottonwood Avenue, a popular shortcut among students just a few blocks from the school. They are also looking for the driver and passengers of the SUV seen near the field at the time of her disappearance. 
 
 On Tuesday, the Sheriff’s Department announced a $35,000 reward for information leading to Norma's return or the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for her abduction. 
 
 Investigators from the Sheriff’s Department and the FBI have interviewed dozens of friends and associates, as well as local felons and others who crossed paths with police. Authorities urged anyone with information about the case to call (877) 242-4345, or send an e-mail to findnorma@riversidesheriff.org. 
 
 -- Phil Willon in Moreno Valley 
 
 Top photo: Riverside County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. Joe Borja speaks to the media today. Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times. Bottom photo: Norma Lopez ||||| Translate this page 
 
 Chief of Police John Hill speaks to the press and public during a press conference on July 10 in regards to the case of Terry Smith. A group of volunteers gathered to say a prayer for Smith and his safe return home. Volunteers going out on routes to find a trace of Smith. Two young girls holding up signs with information about 11-year-old Smith. One of numerous cars with the information about missing 11-year-old Smith. A group of volunteers gathered to say a prayer. Captain John Hill, who serves as Menifee's Chief of Police, addressing and taking questions from the press about the missing boy. A concerned citizen on the side of the road holding out a sign to drivers passing by about missing Terry Smith. Scott Mann, City of Menifee Mayor, addressing the various press members about the current state of the search for missing 11-year-old, Terry Smith. (Right) Shawna Smith, mother of Terry, speaking with the Menifee Sheriff Department and volunteers. The Riverside County Sheriff Department and the six mounted horseman preparing to look for Terry west of Murrieta Road. Menifee citizen Bill Gilette and CoMenifee citizen Bill Gilette and Councilman Fuhrman coordinate the routes that the civilian search parties will cov... 11-year-old Terry Smith Volunteer searchers heading out to continue on their search for Smith. Bill Gilette, coordinator of civilian search efforts, telling a group of volunteers where they can go to search for Smith. Bill Gilette addressing the crowd of volunteers about updates from the Sheriff's department and safety concerns. A view of the canopies where officials were digging up a shallow grave on the property of the Smith household. The tents cover the area where a shallow grave was found with the remains of what is believed to be 11-year-old Terry Smith. Mayor of Menifee Scott Mann speaks to the public during a press conference on July 10. Chief of Police John Hill speaks to the press and public during a press conference on July 10 in regards to the case of Terry Smith. Yellow crime scene tape went up this morning closing off Helen Lane near the home of 11-year-old Terry Smith, who has not been seen since 7:30 pm Satu... Volunteers continuing to make signs to put up in Menifee and its surrounding cities. Citizens of Menifee balloons at the Candlelight Vigil for Smith. A little girl looking at the Memorial that was formed at the Vigil in dedication to Smith. A supporter of Terry Smith gathered at the Candlelight Vigil on Wednesday, July 10. Terry Smith Jr.'s mother's partner, hugging a friend at the Candlelight Vigil. A saxophonist played Ava Maria as the crowd gathered to remember Terry Smith Jr. Attendees of the Vigil lighting candles in remembrance of Smith. Attendees of the Vigil holding lit candles in remembrance of Smith. There were over 1,000 people in attendance at the Vigil that was held at the Menifee Market, where the volunteer homebase was located when the search ... The crowd at the Vigil looking up at the balloons remembering Terry Smith Jr. "Heaven gained an amazing angel" The memorial that was formed for Terry Smith Jr. in remembrance. Half-brother of Terry Smith arrested for murder; partially buried remains found by citizen volunteer 
 
 Wednesday, July 10th, 2013 
 
 Issue 28, Volume 17. 
 
 You need Flash player 8+ and JavaScript enabled to view this video. MENIFEE - The 16-year-old half-brother of an autistic 11-year-old boy who disappeared over the weekend was in custody this morning on suspicion of murder in the death of the child, who was allegedly hit in the head with a rock, then buried in a shallow grave behind his home in Menifee. It was a citizen volunteer who found the remains. Because of his age, Riverside County sheriff's officials did not release the name of the suspect, who was arrested Wednesday following an interview with detectives at the sheriff's Menifee station. "This was a domestic issue within that residence," according to Riverside County sheriff's Capt. John Hill, who serves as Menifee's chief of police. "There was no stranger in the city of Menifee who caused this to happen." Hill confirmed that human remains found early Wednesday in a partially dug grave "fit the description of Terry Smith," although a positive identification had not yet been made. A man identified as Terry Smith's father told KCAL9 that authorities believe the slain boy met a violent end. "From what I heard it's put down as a domestic because he hit him in the head with a rock," Terry Smith Sr., who lives in West Virginia, told the station. The 11-year-old was last seen Saturday night and had become the focus of a large-scale search effort covering 55 square miles and involving both volunteers and law enforcement personnel from several agencies. Menifee Mayor Scott Mann said that based on Wednesday's developments, the search had been "suspended indefinitely." According to authorities, volunteers helping scour the countryside stumbled upon a shallow grave containing partially exposed human remains about 75 feet behind the Smith home in the 33000 block of Helen Lane and notified deputies before 1 a.m. Wednesday. Hill acknowledged that "multiple searches of the property" had taken place previously without turning up any clues. "Sometimes it takes a while to put all the puzzle pieces together in circumstances like this," the police chief said. According to reports from the scene, Terry Smith's half-brother initially told investigators he had last seen the boy playing video games in the house Saturday night, but he recently changed his story, saying the youngster had tried to follow him to a nearby corner market after dark, prompting the older youth to order him back home. After the discovery of the remains, all members of the household were whisked away to the sheriff's station for questioning. The boy's mother was eventually released, according to broadcast reports. Terry Smith's father told KCAL9 that, from the beginning, he felt the circumstances under which his son disappeared were "fishy." He also said his son was not autistic and accused the boy's mother of trying to have the child diagnosed with the disorder so she could collect government benefits. One of the boy's teachers also told reporters that Terry Smith was not autistic. "The outpouring of love and support from the people of Menifee and our neighbors has been overwhelming," Mann said. "Volunteers worked round the clock, looking for Terry. The world tuned into this community for the last four days. I commend the men and women involved in this search." Hundreds of people held a prayer vigil Wednesday evening at a marketplace around the corner from the Smith residence. "We came out here to find a little boy," Menifee resident Pam Ragland told a local television station. "I was really hoping it wasn't him (found buried), that it was a mistake." Anyone with information about the case was urged to call the sheriff's Perris station at (951) 210-1000, or sheriff's dispatch at (951) 776-1099. The following agencies assisted the Riverside Sheriff's Department/Menifee Police Department with the search for Terry Smith: Federal Bureau of Investigation National Center for Missing and Exploited Children California Office of Emergency Services - Chief Dennis Beene Riverside County Fire-Office of Emergency Services Cal Fire-Riverside County Fire Department Riverside County District Attorney's Office San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Orange County Sheriff's Department San Diego County Sheriff's Department Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Anaheim Police Department Irvine Police Department Garden Grove Police Department Long Beach Police Department, Search and Rescue Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit Desert Sheriff's Search and Rescue Riverside County Disaster Corps Riverside County Sheriff's Posse Citizen Emergency Response Teams from Menifee, Moreno Valley, Canyon Lake, Wildomar, Riverside, Temecula, and the Pass Area Riverside Amateur Civil Emergency Services (R.A.C.E.S.) Lake Elsinore, Perris, and Menifee Explorers City of Menifee The 16-year-old brother of Terry Smith, an 11-year-old autistic boy missing from his Menifee home since Saturday has been arrested, according to sheriff's officials. Human remains found near the family's home early this morning have not been positively identified as those of the missing boy, but a sheriff's official says the body generally matches the boy's description. STATEMENT FROM THE SHERIFF's DEPARTMENT - Investigators are currently serving a search warrant at the property where Terry Smith resides. Investigators have located possible human remains on the property and are currently trying to determine if, in fact, the remains are human. The investigators are actively processing the scene. MENIFEE- Human remains have been found on the property from which an 11-year-old autistic boy disappeared Saturday night, it was reported today. Detectives investigating the disappearance of Terry Smith went to a home on Helen Lane shortly after 1 a.m. today, based on evidence to indicate there may be a body on the property, according to Riverside County sheriff's Deputy Albert Martinez. A couple of hours later, yellow crime scene tape went up around the property, and news reports from the scene quoted sheriff's officials as saying that, while volunteers again would go out today to look for the boy, sheriff's personnel would not. The boy disappeared Saturday night from his family home in the 33000 block of Helen Lane in Menifee. According to relatives, the boy, who has the mental capacity of a 7-year-old, was last seen around 7:30 that evening. He was reportedly being babysat by a 16-year-old step-brother. Since then, massive search operations have taken place, with more than 700 people fanning out and looking for Terry at one time, wading through snake- infested scrub in the midday heat, shouting his name. "The strength and fabric of a community are never tested until an event such as this occurs," Menifee Mayor Scott Mann told reporters Tuesday. "We have volunteers from all quarters of the city -- neighbors, ranchers, members of our church family -- people from all walks of life, who have come out in overwhelming support of this search." Riverside County sheriff's Capt. John Hill, who serves as the Menifee police chief, said multiple agencies are taking part in the canvass, including the Los Angeles, San Diego and San Bernardino County sheriff's departments, police Explorer units, Cal Fire and personnel from the Riverside County Office of Emergency Services. Search coordinator Bill Gillette told ABC7 on Tuesday that the search has taken on additional urgency because of the length of time Terry has been missing. Hill said law enforcement is focused on a 55-square-mile area around the child's home. "Terry's whereabouts and the circumstances under which he disappeared are unknown," the sheriff's captain said Tuesday, before reports of human remains on the Helem lane property. "We're doing everything possible to return him to his family." Hill was asked if Terry might have been abducted. "That's always a possibility," he replied. "We're looking at all possibilities." Terry is 4 feet 8 and 76 pounds, with blue eyes and dirty blonde hair, last seen wearing light blue basketball shorts and ankle socks. Anyone with information about the boy or his disappearance was urged to call the sheriff's Perris station at (951) 210-1000, or sheriff's dispatch at (951) 776-1099. UPDATE: Police Call Off Their Official Search for 11-Year-Old Terry Smith Menifee - Law enforcement has officially called off their search for missing 11-year-old Autistic Terry Smith today, July 10. Law enforcement have started to concentrate their search at the child's home off of the 33000 Helen Lane in Menifee. The area has been deemed a crime scene and police have reason to believe that there are human remains on the property. Smith was first reported missing on Sunday when Riverside County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched at 10:33 a.m. where they were told that Smith went missing around 7:30 p.m. Saturday, according to Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Lisa McConnell. Search for Missing Menifee Boy Enters Fifth Day MENIFEE - Amid a deepening sense of urgency and with officials unable to rule out kidnapping, volunteers and law enforcement personnel were gearing up today to continue scouring the Menifee area and points beyond in hopes of finding an autistic 11-year-old boy missing since Saturday night. "We pledge to continue this search effort until such time that circumstances dictate otherwise," Menifee Mayor Scott Mann told reporters Tuesday. "We will maintain our vigilance and continue searching. We will find Terry." Terry Dewayne Smith disappeared Saturday night from his family home in the 33000 block of Helen Lane in Menifee. According to relatives, the boy, who has the mental capacity of a 7-year-old, was last seen around 7:30 that evening. Since then, massive search operations have taken place, with more than 700 people fanning out and looking for Terry at one time, wading through snake- infested scrub in the midday heat, shouting his name. "The strength and fabric of a community are never tested until an event such as this occurs," Mann said. "We have volunteers from all quarters of the city -- neighbors, ranchers, members of our church family -- people from all walks of life, who have come out in overwhelming support of this search." Riverside County sheriff's Capt. John Hill, who serves as the Menifee police chief, said multiple agencies are taking part in the canvass, including the Los Angeles, San Diego and San Bernardino County sheriff's departments, police Explorer units, Cal Fire and personnel from the Riverside County Office of Emergency Services. Search coordinator Bill Gillette told ABC7 on Tuesday that the search has taken on additional urgency because of the length of time Terry has been missing. Hill said law enforcement is focused on a 55-square-mile Advertisement 
 
 
 
 [ SANDAG ] area around the child's home. "Terry's whereabouts and the circumstances under which he disappeared are unknown," the sheriff's captain said. "We're doing everything possible to return him to his family." Hill was asked if Terry might have been abducted. "That's always a possibility," he replied. "We're looking at all possibilities." Terry is 4 feet 8 and 76 pounds, with blue eyes and dirty blonde hair, last seen wearing light blue basketball shorts and ankle socks. Anyone with information about the boy or his disappearance was urged to call the sheriff's Perris station at (951) 210-1000, or sheriff's dispatch at (951) 776-1099. UPDATE: Search for Missing Menifee Boy Continues MENIFEE - Night 4 of the search for missing 11-year-old continues. Law enforcement asked that volunteers cancel their on foot search for tonight. Volunteer searchers and other residents of Menifee and its surrounding areas have continued to gather at Menifee Market and make posters, pray, and be together. Volunteers continue to canvas the area canvasing in cars and getting flyers in surrounding areas. Volunteers are encouraged to meet up at 8 am at the Menifee Market, Wednesday morning. Anyone with information about the boy is urged to call the sheriff's Perris station at (951) 210-1000, or sheriff's dispatch at (951) 776-1099. MENIFEE - Hundreds of people fanned out in triple-digit heat to search for an 11-year-old special-needs boy who went missing over the weekend in Menifee. "We pledge to continue this search effort until such time that circumstances dictate otherwise," said Menifee Mayor Scott Mann during a news briefing. "We will maintain our vigilance and continue searching. We will find Terry." Terry Dewayne Smith disappeared Saturday night from his family home in the 33000 block of Helen Lane. According to relatives, the autistic youth, who has the mental capacity of a 7-year-old, was last seen around 7:30 that evening. The search effort has involved more than 700 people, some of whom have combed through snake-infested scrub in the midday heat as they shouted out the boy's name. "The strength and fabric of a community are never tested until an event such as this occurs," Mann said. "We have volunteers from all quarters of the city -- neighbors, ranchers, members of our church family -- people from all walks of life, who have come out in overwhelming support of this search." Riverside County sheriff's Capt. John Hill, who serves as the Menifee police chief, told reporters that multiple agencies are taking part in the canvass, including the Los Angeles, San Diego and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Departments, police Explorer units, Cal Fire and personnel from the Riverside County Office of Emergency Services. Hill said law enforcement is focused on a 55-square-mile area around the child's home. "Terry's whereabouts and the circumstances under which he disappeared are unknown," the sheriff's captain said. "We're doing everything possible to return him to his family." When asked whether he thought Terry might have been abducted, Hill replied "That's always a possibility." "We're looking at all possibilities," he said. Terry is 4 feet 8 and weighs 76 pounds. He has blue eyes, dirty blond hair and was wearing light-blue basketball shorts and ankle socks. Anyone with information about the boy was urged to call the sheriff's Perris station at (951) 210-1000, or sheriff's dispatch at (951) 776-1099. Authorities say there is still no sign this morning of the 11-year-old autistic boy who went missing from his Menifee home. MENIFEE - It was night three in the search for missing Menifee Austistic eleven-year-old, Terry Dewayne Smith where over 250 volunteer searchers relentlessly scoured Menifee and its surrounding areas into the late hours of the night. Smith was last seen Saturday evening at his home in the 33000 block of Helen Lane, in a rural area off Scott Road about two miles west of Interstate 215. The search for Smith came up empty once again but family, friends, and the community of Menifee are not giving up hope in finding him. Throughout the day, volunteers have posted and handed out flyers with Smith’s recent picture and description and searched on foot throughout the area hoping to find some trace of Smith and his whereabouts and tirelessly battled triple digit temperatures. There have been several potential sightings of Smith within the area, with the most recent being near Loma Linda Hospital in Murrieta. Within minutes of reporting of this sighting, volunteer rescuers got in their cars and rushed to the scene but it turned out to be a false lead. There are also official crews of Deputies and Menifee explorers actively searching the area. At this point in the investigation, deputies do not suspect any foul play, but they are not ruling it out entirely. Bill Gilette, a Menifee resident who has been assisting and coordinating the civilian search efforts, was not only concerned about Smith and his whereabouts, but was also concerned about the volunteers and encouraged them to stay within sight, staying out of fields and open spaces due to injury or snakes, or other various animals. Gilette also encourages anyone who wants to participate in the search for Smith to come to the Menifee Market on Tuesday, June 9 beginning at 7 am, to help comb through the surrounding areas. Finding Smith is of the utmost importance for search crews, official and volunteer, will not waiver until he is found. For more information on joining the search or donating food and water for the volunteer searchers visit the Menifee Market located at 26035 Scott Road, Menifee, CA. Anyone who spots Terry or knows his whereabouts is urged to call the sheriff’s Perris station at (951) 210-1000 or sheriff’s dispatch at (951) 776-1099. Hundreds of Volunteers from Menifee Help Local Law Enforcement in Search for Missing 11-Year-Old, Terry Smith MENIFEE - "Help me find my baby – he’s still missing! It’s been too long. He’s my baby boy who is afraid of the dark and must be scared out of his mind! Please help!" were the words of Shawna Smith, Terry’s mom, as she spoke with citizens of Menifee and the surrounding areas who have volunteered to help find Terry. Terry is an eleven-year-old Autistic boy that has been missing since Saturday night when he followed his older brother, 16-year-old, Skylor Atliano on a walk to Atliano’s friend’s house off of Haun Road. Immediately, when Atliano realized his brother was following him he told Terry that he needed to go back home and Atliano walked him back to their street not knowing that he wouldn’t make it back safely inside. Shawna reported Terry missing late Sunday morning reporting that he was last seen wearing blue jean shorts, no shirt or shoes and was last seen Saturday evening around 9 p.m. walking south on Daly Road. Tom Fuhrman, City of Menifee Councilman, has helped coordinate the search for Terry since Sunday, July 7 and has been back and forth between the Sheriff Command Post at the Fire Station and the Civilian Post, located at Menifee Market, 26035 Scott Road. "The Sheriffs and six mounted horseman are concentrating their search west of Murrieta Road and volunteers are focusing their search on the east side of Scott Road," Fuhrman said. Bill Gilette, Menifee resident, has stepped up and volunteered to assist Councilman Fuhrman by coordinating the civilian search efforts and feels that Terry is "within a mile of his home" located on Helen Road off of Murrieta Road. Gilette has advised volunteer searchers to look in open fields, abandoned cars and trucks, under trees in shaded areas, etc. "As far as we know Terry has not had any food or drink since Saturday evening and must be severely dehydrated and extremely scared," Gilette said to the volunteers. The temperature in Menifee will be over 100 degrees and finding Terry is at the top of the list. Volunteers have donated water and food to keep the search parties hydrated and fed. If you are interested in donating food and water for the searchers or interested in joining the search, please drop off items at or visit Menifee Market located at 26035 Scott Road, Menifee, CA. Anyone who spots Terry or knows his whereabouts is urged to call the sheriff's Perris station at (951) 210-1000 or sheriff's dispatch at (951) 776- 1099. MENIFEE - Friends and relatives were searching through the night early today for an 11-year-old autistic boy who went missing from his Menifee home. Riverside County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched at 10:33 a.m. Sunday to a home in the 33000 block of Helen Lane, where they were told that Terry Dewayne Smith went missing around 7:30 p.m. Saturday, according to Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Lisa McConnell. Deputies searched for Terry but couldn't find him in the area, even with a bloodhound, McConnell said. Terry is 4 feet 8, 76 pounds and has blond hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing blue basketball shorts. Anyone who spots Terry or knows his whereabouts is urged to call the sheriff's Perris station at (951) 210-1000 or sheriff's dispatch at (951) 776- 1099. 11-year-old autistic boy missing from Menifee MENIFEE - Sheriff's officials are searching for an 11-year-old autistic boy who went missing overnight from his Menifee home, a sergeant said today. Sheriff's deputies were dispatched at 10:33 a.m. today to a home in the 33000 block of Helen Lane. They learned that Terry Dewayne Smith went missing on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., according to Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Lisa McConnell. Deputies searched for Terry but couldn't find him in the area, even with a bloodhound, McConnell said. Terry is 4 feet 8 inches tall, weighs 76 lbs. and has blonde hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing blue basketball shorts. Deputies urge anyone who has seen Terry or knows about his whereabouts to call the sheriff's Perris station at (951) 210-1000 or sheriff's dispatch at (951) 776-1099. 
 
 33 comments 
 
 Julie 
 
 Comment #1 | Wednesday, Jul 10, 2013 at 8:33 am Please no. :( 
 
 Sad 
 
 Comment #2 | Wednesday, Jul 10, 2013 at 10:41 am I'm sure the little guy is in a good place now. 
 
 Missey Lightfoot 
 
 Comment #3 | Wednesday, Jul 10, 2013 at 10:48 am This its so sad and wish this isn't the way it would end my heart and prayers go out to Terry just so sad 
 
 Praying 
 
 Comment #4 | Wednesday, Jul 10, 2013 at 11:49 am I'm praying lots and lots for him...if the remains are his he is in heaven... 
 
 Puzzled 
 
 Comment #5 | Wednesday, Jul 10, 2013 at 12:18 pm Search over a 55 mile radius and no one looked in the backyard of his home? 
 
 Suzy 
 
 Comment #6 | Wednesday, Jul 10, 2013 at 12:40 pm Oh NOOOOO! Please GOD No... 
 
 Reality Checker 
 
 Comment #7 | Wednesday, Jul 10, 2013 at 1:22 pm Coyotes possibly? Are there coyotes in Menifee? 
 
 PRAYING 
 
 Comment #8 | Wednesday, Jul 10, 2013 at 2:04 pm From a mother words just can't describe. 
 
 Fallbrook res. 
 
 Comment #9 | Wednesday, Jul 10, 2013 at 2:23 pm @#5. I agree, one would have hoped they looked close to home, with a dog to smell him. 
 
 observer 
 
 Comment #10 | Wednesday, Jul 10, 2013 at 2:44 pm @Puzzled - from what I understand the mother would not let them search the property and they had to obtain a search warrant to do so. The whole story did not add up. If this is the boy, it is so tragic on so many levels. My first thought was heat exhaustion, but then I read there was actually a shallow grave but they are still determining identity of the remains and it does not look good. I am waiting to hear some sort of info on the results. Truth will be revealed, justice will be had. 
 
 Fallbrook Mom 
 
 Comment #11 | Wednesday, Jul 10, 2013 at 3:19 pm searchers are stealing from neighbors properties also. tweekers are henious 
 
 Menifee Resident 
 
 Comment #12 | Wednesday, Jul 10, 2013 at 3:20 pm Ton's of coyotes. Big cats too. That wasn't Terry's problem. 
 
 Suspicious 
 
 Comment #13 | Wednesday, Jul 10, 2013 at 3:38 pm I'm sure there's more to come out from this. What kind of a mother leaves her 11yo autistic boy at home alone while she is "out playing pool"? It seems to me that Terry may have cramped his "mothers" style...just saying. 
 
 Saddened.... 
 
 Comment #14 | Wednesday, Jul 10, 2013 at 3:50 pm It is just so tragic that this poor child had to go through whatever it is he did the last day of his life. It is even worse that we have "parents" and "siblings" who claim they know nothing about his disappearance. Someone isn't telling the truth. He didn't just magically appear in his backyard. What is this world coming to? 
 
 To all the people who donated, helped, came together as a community and put in all the efforts, you should be so proud of who you are and what you did! :) 
 
 
 
 Hugs to you all and may god bless you! 
 
 
 
 This sweet little boy can rest now. 
 
 Miss Lynn 
 
 Comment #15 | Wednesday, Jul 10, 2013 at 4:45 pm I am not sure but I heard his half-brother (16-yrs old) is a suspect for the murder of his half-brother. This is so sad. Parents hug your children and let them know you love them. You never know what can happen in your own home. Prayers to all involved. Searchers you did a good deed. God will reward you. Comment Continued : The comment above was written from the same location. 
 
 Miss Lynn 
 
 Comment #16 | Wednesday, Jul 10, 2013 at 4:47 pm Pray for the family. 
 
 bluemoone 
 
 Comment #17 | Wednesday, Jul 10, 2013 at 5:19 pm I am so hoping he is found, have a grand son that is autistic 11 years old hope this is not deliberate so sad 
 
 sadd 
 
 Comment #18 | Wednesday, Jul 10, 2013 at 5:30 pm ****HALF BROTHER ARRESTED**** :(0 
 
 @smiths 
 
 Comment #19 | Wednesday, Jul 10, 2013 at 5:43 pm Worst nightmare just got worse....I can't even begin to fathom!! 
 
 Resident 
 
 Comment #20 | Wednesday, Jul 10, 2013 at 5:49 pm Oh dear God. 
 
 sad in PA 
 
 Comment #21 | Wednesday, Jul 10, 2013 at 6:12 pm This is a terrible thing to happen to any child. My heart goes out to his family as they grieve this loss. 
 
 itssosad 
 
 Comment #22 | Wednesday, Jul 10, 2013 at 6:27 pm terry smith sounded so nice 
 
 mija 
 
 Comment #23 | Wednesday, Jul 10, 2013 at 6:45 pm That's so sad. 
 
 so sad from wildomar 
 
 Comment #24 | Wednesday, Jul 10, 2013 at 7:55 pm im just so sad if the boy is autistic when the mother got home orthe brother why didnt they check on him when i go out even tothe store when i get home i always checkon my kids evenif its after 8 pm they in bed a sleep i check on them ..no matter how scared you are if some thing bad has happen always tell the truth 
 
 saddd 
 
 Comment #25 | Wednesday, Jul 10, 2013 at 10:44 pm Why mom refused LE to search her home when SHE WAS WORRIED about her missing son??? LE had to get a search warrant!!!! IF ANY OF MY FAMILY GOES MISSING I WOULDN'T BE CONCERNED ABOUT A WARRANT!!!!! Iread that dad and teachers said he was not autistic, also that Skylor wrote bad things about family on his fb? I don't know but all this sounds fishy :( poor kid Hopefully LE also arrest the murderer of Dylan Dedwine (Colorado) & many other cases are solved :( why "god" takes good people? 
 
 unknown 
 
 Comment #26 | Thursday, Jul 11, 2013 at 12:22 am may the young boy rest in peace it hurts to know people will spill their own family blood and yet people say Mexicans are the criminals 
 
 Armando Quintero 
 
 Comment #27 | Thursday, Jul 11, 2013 at 12:32 am The moms story sounds really fishy to me leaving the kids alone and not checking up on them once she came home. And Notice him missing the next day. I wouldn't doubt if she gets arrested soon for having a part to do with this. In my opinion I think she might of known something! 
 
 anonymous 
 
 Comment #28 | Thursday, Jul 11, 2013 at 10:03 am I APPLAUD THE VALLEY NEWS FOR THE CONSTANT UPDATE ON THIS TRAGIC AND HORRIFIC STORY. I WAS AT THE VOLUNTEER HOMESITE MANY TIMES THROUGHOUT THE DAYS AND THE GIRLS WHO COVERED IT WERE THERE EVERY NIGHT, SUPPORTING THE VOLUNTEERS AND OF COURSE TERRY. THE GIRLS ALWAYS WERE READY TO GIVE A HELPING HAND AND EVEN WERE OUT THERE MAKING SIGNS AND FLYERS AND ON FOOT SEARCHING FOR HIM. THEY DID A WONDERFUL JOB AS DID THE COMMUNITY. I AM SO PROUD TO SAY THAT I AM A MEMBER OF A COMMUNITY THAT CARES SO MUCH AND BELIEVES IN THE GOOD OF PEOPLE SO MUCH - EVEN WHEN WE SHOULDN'T. 
 
 Temeku Mom 
 
 Comment #29 | Thursday, Jul 11, 2013 at 10:03 am This has had such a terrible, tragic ending. My prayers for the little angel who is now in heaven. May you rest in peace in God's Glory little one. It's VERY suspicious that the mother would not let police search the property. If your child is missing, you do EVERYTHING possible to find them ASAP. Police had to get a judge to issue a search warrant to in order to search the family's property? What was the mother afraid they would find...the child's body in a shallow grave? Perhaps she did have a role in trying to cover up the murder in order to protect her older son. She didn't report the child missing until late Sunday morning. Who does that? When your kids are missing you are in a panic trying to finding them! A BIG "Thanks" to all the volunteers and LE who searched in the sweltering heat for days. Your help was indispensable to resolving the case so quickly...God Bless all of you. 
 
 js 
 
 Comment #30 | Friday, Jul 12, 2013 at 11:51 pm Am heartbroken, didn't know the boy or family but when I saw a autistic boy was missing in Menifee kept looking 2 see if he was found. Prayed he would be found safe. Story sounded a litlle off initially but u never know sometimes people wander off but when I saw the heartfelt & devastated reactions on the news when they said he was dead & his brother was arrested I cried 4 that little boy. His life had 2 of been hard from looking @ the tidbits from the brothers FB page. The brother posted his couldn't take it in that house anymore he needed 2 get out imagine if the brother posted that perhaps Terry's life was that much more difficult! As a person of faith I don't get it such a horrific, tragic end 4 this boy why? May he rest in peace & may that family get the help they need 
 
 @ Sadd 
 
 Comment #31 | Saturday, Jul 13, 2013 at 10:37 am "God" did not take this sweet child, a person did it. PEOPLE hurt each other. I pray this poor child is in His arms. 
 
 @ comment #30 
 
 Comment #32 | Saturday, Jul 13, 2013 at 3:07 pm Your comment is positive, but stop the "trying to be cool" with replacing simple words with numbers. It so ANNOYING to read. 
 
 So many questions 
 
 Comment #33 | Monday, Jul 15, 2013 at 9:57 am This is so tragic for all involved, two boys lost, one dead one in custody, a mother, father and family lost both sons. 
 
 
 
 Everyone seems ready to judge Skylor. Already the news is reporting that there is a push to have the 16 year old tried as an adult. I have three sons, the younger ones are 16 and 14, the 14 year old has autism. The 16 year old has a deeper understanding and compassion because of the difficult situation he has grow with, he will advocate for those with disabilities and stand up to peers against bullying, however they are both kids, they cannot process information like an adult as they are NOT ADULTS in no way shape or form. They are best of friends and worst enemies at any given moment as I suspect most brother are. Kids fight, make bad decisions and as adults and parents we need to protect and keep them safe. 
 
 
 
 There are so many questions unanswered, so many cries for help! Why was the mom playing pool instead of taking care of her boys? Why was Skylor left in charge when he obviously did not along with his brother and had apparent emotional problems he did not know how to deal with? 
 
 
 
 I am not trying to blame anyone just wondering if the whole thing could have been avoided with some common sense. The important thing is to learn from this tragic sequence of events and try to understand why with compassion for all involved and prevent it from happening again in our homes. 
 
 Article Comments are contributed by our readers, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Valley News staff. The name listed as the author for comments cannot be verified; Comment authors are not guaranteed to be who they claim they are.
– Remains found in a wheat field near a southern California town have been identified as those of a missing teenage girl police believe was abducted after a summer school program. Norma Lopez, 17, vanished a week ago after a biology class at Valley View High in Moreno Valley. Police have no suspects, but a green SUV was seen speeding from the spot where Lopez tried in vain to fight off her attacker, reports the Los Angeles Times. Investigators found some of Norma's belongings and signs of a struggle just blocks from the school. “We haven’t caught the suspect who killed Norma so obviously there is a murderer out there, so I would be vigilant, I would be aware," said Riverside County Sheriff Sgt. Joseph Barja. "If I were a parent I would keep track of my children. I would do everything to ensure their safety.”