FRUITLAND, Idaho — On Monday, investigators will continue day three of efforts to completely dig up the backyard of a Fruitland home in relation to the case of missing five-year-old Michael "Monkey" Vaughan who was last seen in July 2021.
Fruitland Police Chief JD Huff said officers received a "credible tip" that lead them to search the home which is just a few minutes from where 5-year-old Michael Vaughan was last seen near his home on Southwest Ninth Street.
Police Chief J.D. Huff says the tip was given to them by a person who lives in the home. One occupant, Sarah Wondra, has been arrested, and will be arraigned in the Payette County Court at 1:30 p.m. Monday, for failure to notify of a death. Officer's believe Wondra isn't the only person with information related to the death.
CONFIRMED — Sarah Wondra who lives in this home has been charged with failure to notify of a death. She will be arraigned at 1:30. The Vaughan family has no connection to the people who live in this home. Police do not think Sarah is the only one with knowledge of what happened. pic.twitter.com/2pXcaF0xYD
— Karen Lehr (@KarenLehr) November 14, 2022
Fruitland Police began the extensive search efforts on the 1100 block of Redwing Street on Saturday.
Police have not reported any findings yet, but will continue digging through the day Monday and plan to dig up the entire backyard about three to four feet deep.
The dirt being removed from the scene will be examined by investigators.
Vaughan disappeared on July 27, 2021. During a press conference to mark one year since his disappearance police said they believed the window of time in which Vaughan disappeared was between 6:40 - 7:00 p.m.
Related: Fruitland Police give update as Michael Vaughan's disappearance approaches the 1-year mark
Agencies at the scene included Fruitland Police, Idaho State Police, and Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue.
This is a developing story and we will continue to update it as more information becomes available.
