Massive push to find Adji

WBBH-TV
January 18, 2009

IMMOKALEE: Saturday could bring the largest number of officers the ground search for missing 6 year-old Adji Desir.

Exactly one week since the boy was last seen playing in Immokalee's Farm Worker Village, the Collier County Sheriff's Office has called in officers from throughout the state for another day of searching.

"Today is an exceptional sweep. We've brought in probably 250 or so law enforcement officers, ATVs, swamp buggies, horses and a myraid of other technical equipment to search again a three mile radius," said Collier County Lt. Tom Smith.

Many of the officers are new to the search. Smith said he hopes they will help ensure "no stone is left unturned."

This expanded effort comes as deputies prepare to end their ground search for Adji, and move their command post from Farm Worker Village to the sheriff's office's Immokalee sub station.
There deputies will rely more heavily on databases like sex offender registries and past case records to continue their investigation.

Also on Saturday deputies asked volunteers to visit Immokalee Community Park to pick up missing child fliers, in hopes they will be distributed throughout the state.

Southwest Floridians will also receive information about Adji's disappearance in their mailboxes.
The US Postal service is mailing 50,000 fliers to households in the region as part of the national "Deliver Me Home" program for missing children.

The reward for information is growing. The FBI announced Friday a $10,000 reward in addition to the $23,000 reward being offered locally.

If you'd like to help get the word out about Adji you can stop by Immokalee Community Park before 2pm Saturday to pick up fliers, or print them out on your own computer by visiting the Collier County website http://www.nbc-2.com/articles/www.colliersheriff.org.

Adji Desir

Florida Boy Adji Desir Disappears

Police say Adji Desir, a developmentally disabled child who went missing on January 11, 2009, may attempt to hide from those trying to find him.

The Collier County, Fla. Sheriff's Office and more than 100 officers from nearby agencies are desperately searching for Adji Desir, a 6-year-old boy who was last seen Saturday night.

Police say Adji was at his grandmother’s home for the day while his mother was working. The boy's grandmother lives in Farm Workers Village in Immokalee, Fla.

Adji was last seen around 5:15 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2009. Investigator Maria Butrico with the Collier County Sheriff's Office told AMW that Adji went outside to play with some friends, and at some point, he disappeared.

Search crews have been canvassing the area since Saturday night. A billboard with Adji's photo and description is scheduled to go up on the corner of Main and First Streets in downtown Immokalee.

Police are hoping that Adji just wandered off and is lost, but they have to look into the possibility that the child was abducted. Police have not found any evidence to indicate that there was any foul play.

Adji was last seen wearing a blue shirt with thin yellow stripes, blue shorts with pink flamingos going down the sides, and gray and black sneakers.

Police say it's important to note that Adji is developmentally disabled and only speaks about five words. He may also try to hide from searchers.