FBI offers $20,000 in case of missing Searcy, Ark. toddler

SEARCY, Ark. (AP) — The FBI is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information that leads to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the disappearance of a Searcy toddler.

Searcy Police Department Sgt. Steve Hernandez says new information has developed since Malik Drummond, who was 2 at the time, disappeared in November 2014.

In regards to the new information, Hernandez said "It's led us to believe that someone out there knows more about this than what they've said. We're hoping the reward will encourage them to come forward."

The Daily Citizen (http://bit.ly/1WS8Eev ) reports the then-3-foot tall, 40-pound toddler with brown hair, brown eyes and light brown skin was reported missing from his father's apartment. He was last seen wearing a blue shirt and brown pants with stripes.

Police say Malik's father's girlfriend told them that when she exited the bathroom and asked where Malik was, another child pointed to the screen door. Malik's father was reportedly asleep in the bedroom at the time. The boy's mother was in the hospital.

Law enforcement, dozens of citizens and representative from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children searched for the child in the weeks following his disappearance.

The boy's father, Jeff Clinton, said "I keep looking around for him, looking at cars that pass, in parks."

Authorities have said that Clifton and his girlfriend have been cooperative.

"We've been cooperative and we'll continue to be cooperative, and I'm just thankful for everyone that was out to help us search for (Malik)," Clifton said.

The Daily Citizen, Searcy, Arkansas. Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The Gayly - 11/11/2015 @ 4:08 p.m. CST