Search for missing Pulaski Co. 5-year-old comes to an end

PULASKI COUNTY (WSLS 10) - Multiple sources confirmed Thursday that the body of missing 5-year-old Noah Thomas had been found. 

Professional search crews, as well as law enforcement officers, were still hard at work Thursday afternoon before the confirmation came. 

Before the discovery

In a news conference held on Tuesday, police said they did not suspect foul play 48 hours after Noah's disappearance. Investigators said they still do not have a solid lead or suspect(s) in mind. 

Crews plan to expand their search. Law enforcement officials were already out early Tuesday morning searching a two-mile stretch, according to Sheriff Jim Davis. Crews have been working around the clock, putting in 12+ hour shifts trying to find Noah. 

Investigators say they're going to follow up on any leads of substance that come in. Sheriff Davis said deputies were still treating this case as a missing child, who left on foot, who is believed to be in danger. 

Community support

Vigils were planned across the area in support of Noah, his family and friends. 

The first is Wednesday evening in Wytheville at Withers Park at 6:00 p.m. The vigil was planned by Real Life Ministries. Another will be held at 8:00 p.m. at Elizabeth Brown park. 

A vigil will happen Thursday evening at 8:00 p.m. at the Bland County Fairgrounds Pavilion. Administrators of the Facebook page "Help Find Missing Noah Thomas" have been invited to attend. Attendees are asked to bring a candle. 

A vigil planned by members of  Help Save the Next Girl will be Sunday at 7:00 p.m. at Riverlawn Elementary School, where Noah attends kindergarten. 

Gil Harrington and the school's principal will speak, and LED candles will be provided for children. Children will also be invited to write messages of encouragement for Noah. 

Bland Co. community set to hold prayer vigil for Noah Thomas

The search

On Wednesday, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office said it had been asked by the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office to help in the search. Montgomery Co. said seven people have gone to Pulaski County to help and two additional investigators will join the search soon. 

In addition, more than 100 members from local, regional and state agencies have joined together in the search. 

The area crews are searching is varied geographically, with rolling hills, wooded areas, ponds and wells.Virginia Department of Emergency Management representative William Chrimes said they are searching some areas more than once in case Thomas is injured and could not call out to searchers. 

Scent-detecting dogs, infrared technology and helicopters have been used to aid in the search. 

Search dogs and infrared cameras used in search for missing Pulaski County boy

Police said the search area consists of farmland and residential housing. Each property has to be searched, with the homeowner's permission. Crews searched a nearby pond Sunday and said they were 80 percent sure Noah was not there. 

Social media's role

Multiple organizations have used social media to help in the search for Noah. 

A page was created called "Help Find Missing Noah Thomas." According to a post on the page, it is being administered by three women, but it was unclear their relationship to Noah.

Members of Help Save the Next Girl also sent out messages on social media with updates on the search and information for potential volunteers. 

Hashtags #FindNoah and #NoahThomas were also being used to help spread information about the missing 5-year-old.

About Noah Thomas

Noah was last seen at 5461 Highland Road in Dublin Sunday. According to police, the mother, child and small baby had taken the father to work in the Dublin area before 7 a.m. Sunday, March 22. After they returned home sometime between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. the mother discovered Noah was not in the room watching television. She told police she searched for Noah and when she could not find him, she called 911.

A Pulaski County Schools representative confirmed Tuesday that Noah attends kindergarten at Riverlawn Elementary School. Counselors were being made available for students and faculty.

The Pulaski County Sheriff's Office said Noah is approximately 4'0 feet, 60 lbs, with green eyes and red hair. He was last seen wearing a camo jacket, black and yellow pants, and spiderman rain boots. They say he may be wearing a Chargers starter jersey with the number 21 on it. They also say the camo jacket has a skull and crossbones. 

Noah's parents helping the search

Sheriff Davis said the boy's parents, Ashley White and Paul Thomas, have been cooperating and were with investigators throughout the first night of the search. They remained involved in the following days of the search. 

White told police Noah is a very cautious child and knew not to leave the house alone. 

Police say their ultimate goal is to locate Noah safely and return him home. Police say the boy comes from a rural, tight-knit residential community. No one from the neighborhood has come forward to report anything suspicious. 

Noah's parents were expected to make a statement Monday afternoon, but as the search continued, their statement was delayed. 

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the Pulaski Sheriff's Office at 540-980-7800 or the Virginia State Police 1-800-822-4453, (1-800-VA-CHILD).