MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — Baldwin County crews have restarted a search for a missing teenager with autism who disappeared from his home in Milledgeville.

15-year-old Jeffrey Epps is nonverbal, and was reported missing Monday afternoon. Now, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Georgia State Patrol are also working with local law enforcement to help locate him.

Bradley Towe, Deputy Fire Chief of Operations with Baldwin County Fire, arrived at the teenager’s home on Torrance Road around 4:30 Monday afternoon. He says crews are using every available resource to find Epps.

“We got people everywhere trying to help,” Towe said.

Towe says there are 40 to 50 officials and citizens aiding in the search efforts. According to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, Epps was last seen wearing a yellow shirt and grey shorts.

The sheriff’s office said they restarted the search at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, but that several people were searching for Epps overnight.

An 11 a.m. update asked for people within the Coopers Community between Highway 49 and Gordon Highway to search sheds, outbuildings, barns, campers, pools and vehicles to see if Epps is or had been there.

“We got canines on the ground. We’ve got drones in the air, helicopters in the air, just doing everything we can at this point. We got a bunch of citizens out here on side by sides,” Towe said.

Towe says Baldwin County Fire Rescue and the sheriff’s office initially responded to the scene, with the GBI and GSP joining the efforts later Monday night.

On Tuesday, Towe said that they’ve expanded their search to try and find him.

“We hadn’t found anything. The dogs hadn’t really hit any trails at this point. But they’re still out with the dogs right now on the ground,” Towe said.

Towe says several factors are making the search difficult. The area is dark and densely wooded, and Towe says Epps’ disability also makes it a challenge to successfully make contact with him. He also says there are several ponds and creeks nearby, which is another concern.

“He does like water,” Towe said “Now we gotta start worrying about did he get into the water or where he’s actually at.”

Towe added that if you see Epps, not to approach. They asked for people to stay quiet and dial 911, and monitor him until help arrives.

The sheriff’s office added that, if you approach Epps, he may run away or become defensive.

Towe says his crew doesn’t plan on stopping the search until Epps is found. If you see Epps, call 911 immediately. Do not approach him, as he scares easily.