Oregon Public Broadcasting

The parents of missing second grader, Kyron Horman, appealed Friday for people to keep looking.

As Kristian Foden-Vencil reports, it's been a week since the 7-year-old disappeared from his Portland school. 

Kyron's mother, step mother, father and step father appeared together at a small church across the street from Skyline Elementary.

Family of missing 7-year-old Kyron Horman

They wore white T-shirts emblazoned with the 7-year-old's picture and details about where to call with information that might help searchers.

Step father Tony Young says the family misses him, loves him and is doing everything to bring him home.

Tony Young: "Your school friends and their families, your teachers, the staff at your school and the community as a whole have shown how much impact one little boy's smile can have on one community. You mean everything to us. And until you come home, this family is not complete."

Then it was the turn of Kyron's father, Kaine Horman, to speak.

Kaine Horman: "We want to thank the community, the parents, the children, the bus drivers and all of those who are being interviewed multiple times to help find Kyron. Thank you. We as a family know how difficult and stressful this is. But your memories and statements can help us find Kyron."

Kyron's mother fought back tears, and his step-mother hugged his father.

The families agreed to take questions, but only via e-mail. Answers aren't expected until the weekend.

Authorities displayed the same kind of shoes, socks, trousers and t-shirt that Kyron wore when he disappeared.

Mike Shultz, with Multnomah Sheriff's Department, says the hope is the clothes might prompt the public to find a clue:

Mike Shultz: "This is going to be a wonderful weekend. It's supposed to be warm. As you're out there recreating, keep your prayers and thoughts on our little boy, because you never know the type of information that can come back to us and we can find him."

Shultz has spent his waking hours with the family over the last week.

Missing Portland second-grader Kyron Horman

Authorities say about 220 searchers are now combing a larger area around the school. They're using dogs, helicopters, heat-seaking cameras -- everything at their disposal.

Captain Monte Reiser of Multnomah County says they still don't know if they're dealing with an abduction or if the boy wandered away -- but they're not giving up.

Monte Reiser: "We have as much motivation now as we did last Friday evening."

More search and rescue teams from around the state continue to arrive.

Members of the public have been asked to stay away from the search area. If people want to help, they can donate nuts, berries, drinks and other food for staff at the Wapato Jail site in Portland.

The sheriff's office has also set up a 'Kyron Horman Fund' at the Bank of America. Money will be used to offset the cost of the search. 

Anyone with information regarding Kyron Horman whereabouts is asked to call the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office tip line 503 261-2847, or to dial 911 with emergency information.

On the Web:

Multnomah County Sheriff's Office FBI: Kyron Horman poster