United Cajun Navy brings in divers, thermal drones as search for 12-year-old Bryan Vasquez continues

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Law enforcement continues to go door-to-door looking for any new leads in the search for Bryan Vasquez.

The 12-year-old, who suffers from a developmental disability and is non-verbal, has been missing since Thursday when he was caught on a ring camera attempting to open a neighbor’s door.

Now the United Cajun Navy has joined the search efforts using thermal drones to scan parts of the Michoud neighborhood.

“Really sophisticated in picking up heat signatures and distinguishing between wildlife and human activity,” said United Cajun Navy Vice President Brian Trascher.

Vasquez’s mother believes her son would try to drink any water that he sees.

Trascher says they’ve also brought in divers to take a closer look at the water.

“Once you get past that 48-hour mark, usually the survivor survivability index goes down quite a bit, but that doesn’t change the way we do things. We go full send until somebody tells us not to,” said Trascher.

As volunteers watched crews search the water and grassy areas, they continued to pray that Vasquez would return home safely.

“Most people have children. I have children, so I can only imagine what the parents are going through. You have a child who is missing. You know what happened to them? Looking for him. So let’s hope and pray that they find this child alive,” said volunteer Reggie Hall.

“When it happened, the police asked me if I had seen a boy. I said no. I am sorry for that little boy. When I have a chance, I drive around and look around the area,” said a nearby neighbor.

Trascher believes law enforcement is confident they will find Vasquez, as the search is still being labeled a rescue.

“A lot of times, after 48 to 72 hours, the official search will get called off. I see multiple agencies, as well as state agencies, working with Orleans Parish. So they must be confident that there’s a chance that young Bryan could be found,” said Trascher.

If you’ve seen Bryan or know where he might be, please call the NOPD’s seventh district at 504-658-6070 or call 911.

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