WEST CHESTER TWP, Ohio (WXIX) – The search effort for a missing 6-year-old boy with autism from West Chester Township is ongoing.

Joshua Al-Lateef, 6, was last seen around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday near his family’s apartment on Wyndtree Drive, Barb Wilson with West Chester Township police said.

His older brother called 911 to report him missing, according to a recording of the call. Police said Thursday they have no reason to suspect any type of foul play is involved.

While volunteers check tree lines, dumpsters, and anywhere else the boy may have sought out shelter from the cold weather, first responders have had drones in the air and boots on the ground.

The other possibility officials are investigating is whether or not Al-Lateef’s attraction to water may have led him to one of the eight retention ponds on the property of the apartment complex where he lives, West Chester Fire Chief Rick Prinz explained Thursday.

“They lay out the lake into a grid pattern and they search each grid very methodically,” Prinz described. “So, there are teams physically in the water and on the water with boats.”

Crews searched several of the lakes and Al-Lateef was not found, Chief Prinz said.

Now, nearly 24 hours into the search, Prinz says efforts will expand to bodies of water beyond the apartment complex area.

With no signs of Al-Lateef, who is described as 4′ and 44 pounds, police urge residents and businesses to check around them.

“Businesses and residents, check around your houses, under your decks, in your shed if you have one,” West Chester Interim Chief of Police Brian Rebholz said Thursday.

Al-Lateef is described as 4′ and 44 pounds.

He was last seen wearing the following:

• Tan shirt
• Tan pants
• Black, red and white Nike shoes
• A jacket

Police say Al-Lateef may run away if approached. He is also known to like water and parks.

“It’s an all-hands-on-deck operation,” Rebholz explained of the magnitude of the search efforts.

More than 300 volunteers and eight agencies are helping West Chester departments find Al-Lateef.

Among those helping is Lindsay Amyx.

She said as a mother, she felt she needed to help search.

“I have two children, and to know what this mother is going through… I have a 19-year-old and he’s autistic too,” explained Amyx. ”So, I feel it in my heart. Knowing it’s cold outside, I just really want to help him and his family.”

Police say those wanting to help in the search efforts should follow the links at the end of this article.

Call 513-777-2231 if you see Al-Lateef.