An all-inclusive search and rescue effort has been launched in Merced County to find a missing 7-year-old autistic boy, Isaac Sprague, who disappeared near Hilmar.

Isaac has been missing since 11 a.m. He was practicing archery in Hilmar near the Merced/Stanislaus County line at the time of his disappearance.

Law enforcement was summoned after a family member searched for Isaac for approximately an hour near the site where he was lost, in the area of Kelly Road.

Isaac was last seen walking away from a family member’s van. The area in which the boy was lost is heavily wooded, with a body of water in the vicinity.

According to Merced County Sheriff's Deputy Delray C. Shelton, Isaac cannot communicate due to his autism.

Isaac is described as a white boy with short brown hair and brown eyes. He stands about 4 feet tall and weighs approximately 55 pounds. Isaac was last seen wearing a blue jeans, a brown jacket, and carrying a red and green blanket.

As of this writing, the Merced County Sheriff’s Office has activated a search and rescue team, air support, and a K-9 that has the ability to track missing persons. The Merced County Sheriff's Department is asking anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Isaac to please call 911 immediately.