Police have started to dig up a backyard in search for a missing six-year-old after receiving a 'credible tip'.
Michael Vaughan, who was five years old when he went missing in Fruitland, Idaho, has not been seen in more than a year after he was last spotted on July 27, 2021.
However, following a 'credible tip' from a member of the public, Fruitland Police Chief JD Huff confirmed a backyard on Redwing Street in Fruitland was excavated this weekend.
According to cops, the house was located four minutes from the very field Michael disappeared from in July last year.
There was nothing found on Saturday but police returned to the scene on Sunday and there are further updates expected shortly.
Neighbours reported an excavator and backhoe were spotted over the weekend at the property, with most of the backyard completely taken apart.
A large skip was also seen on the property and had been sectioned off by police as two K-9 dogs were brought in to help with the search.
According to the police officer, the aim was to dig three or four feet deep, and a thorough search will be undertaken to search across all of the backyard.
The backhoe was brought in to dig up the topsoil, according to the police chief, who added it will not contaminate any potential evidence.
Mr Huff said: "During the course of the investigation, we received information the remains of Michael Vaughan might be found [behind the house]... As a result, we obtained a search warrant.
"We have not found anything yet but we will continue to excavate in hopes of finding his remains."
He added the couple currently living in the house has no link to the Vaughan family and do not own the property.
The five-year-old was last seen in a field opposite his home at about 6.30pm to 7.15pm.
Investigators are still unclear what the young toddler was doing in the field at the time.
Michael was last seen wearing a 'Minecraft' t-shirt and was in boxer briefs and wearing blue flip-flops when he disappeared.
The child was described as 3ft 7, and weighed about 50 pounds.
During a press conference earlier this summer, authorities said there was possible evidence that suggested the toddler's disappearance was criminal - potentially an abduction.
Police examined and followed-up thousands of tips and leads from the public, but nothing has so far materialised.
However, the most recent lead came from a 'very credible tip', which saw cops obtain a search warrant to dig up the backyard on Friday evening.
Idaho State Police, Fruitland Police, Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue, Fruitland Public Works and the Fruitland Fire Department were all spotted at the scene.
Police offered $50,000 (£43,000) for information and tip-offs on the toddler's whereabouts.
