Gannon Stauch: 11-year-old Colorado boy still missing week after seen walking to friend's house

'My son is a very loving kid, he wouldn't want harm on anybody at all and it's so hard to think, "Why is this happening to him?"'

Colorado police and volunteers are still searching for an 11-year-old boy who was last seen on 27 January.

Gannon Stauch, 11, was last seen Monday by his stepmother after he went to play at a friend’s house.

The boy’s father, Al Stauch, was training with the National Guard when his son disappeared. He told KOAA News 5 in Colorado that his son usually returned home around dusk when he was out playing.

“We kind of do the street light rule. When the street lights come on or it gets dark, they better be home and it was like maybe 30 minutes past that. Started to worry at that point. Then I started texting all the friends that we know he goes to and nobody had seen him," Mr Stauch said.

According to police, the boy’s disappearance was initially being investigated as a runaway, but upon discovering the child relied on prescription medication, his case was changed to endangered missing persons.

Police and volunteers looking for the child have received more than 130 tips about the boy and more than 130 people are working to locate him.

"We would like to remind those who live in or around the Lorson Ranch area to be mindful of and check areas on your property a child may hide to include yards, window wells, outbuildings and culverts," the EPCSO wrote in a statement.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said it was committing major resources to finding Gannon.

“Our Patrol deputies and Major Crime Detectives have taken extraordinary steps to search for Gannon. He's very young, it's dark and cold outside and we want to bring Gannon to safety," the EPSCO wrote in a statement.

Gannon’s mother, Landen Hiott, thanked the public for their support during a press conference.

"I'm so thankful for all the outpouring of help this case has brought. My son is a very loving kid, he wouldn't want harm on anybody at all and it's so hard to think, 'Why is this happening to him?' I have no clue,” she said. “My kid deserves to come home. My kid has a purpose, my kid has a life and is important to me and is important to everybody that is standing in this room."

Gannon was last seen wearing a blue jacket, blue jeans and tennis shoes. He is 4 foot 9, 50 kg (90 lbs) with brown eyes and brown hair.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office has asked for any information leading to his recovery.