It's been 12 days of worry for a Barrie family, and their panic grew as a vital clue that was reported Friday turned out to be false.
Brandon Crisp
ran away from home Thanksgiving Monday, following an argument with his parents about his video game use. He hasn't been seen since.
The police and volunteers are continuing their hunt for the missing 15-year-old, but despite media reports, Crisp's backpack has not been found.
However,
a team did come across a blue-checkered jacket, a tent, crackers and a full bag of chips in the area. Still, it's not known if those items belonged to the teen.
Saturday, Barrie Police searched the 2nd Line of Oro and Ridge Road. It's the seventh day of exhaustive ground searches. More than 400 volunteers helped Friday and continued Saturday north of Barrie near Burl's Creek Park.
"It's not great weather but we're out here to help find Brandon," said one volunteer. "We have children of our own and if something had happened to them then we'd want people out to help."
There is some good news for the family. Microsoft has doubled the reward money to $50,000 for information.
Steve Crisp, the boy's father, confirmed the increase from $25,000.
Microsoft is the manufacturer of Xbox. His parents say Crisp used the videogame system to the point of addiction, especially the game "Call Of Duty 4."
Crisp says he believes his son may have been lured away by someone he met online with while playing the Internet-connected game.
And the same tool accused of being behind his disappearance may lead to his rescue: a
website has just been set up to aid with tips and information.
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