Missing Maine Teen: Boy Ran Into Woods After Assault Reported, Search Underway

The search for a 15-year-old boy continued Wednesday after he went missing from his home in Kingfield, Maine. The boy has been identified as Dustin Merrill.

On Monday, Franklin County Sheriff's Office received information about an assault by a juvenile at a residence on Hinckley Pit Road and that the boy had run away into the woods, Sheriff Scott Nichols said Wednesday.

Initial efforts focused on the area around the residence where the boy had run away to in the past, Nichols said, adding that authorities also used K-9 dogs to try and locate the teenager.

Sgt. Nathan Bean and Lt. David Rackliffe tracked the teen on Monday about 3.5 miles to Tufts Pond Road but did not find him, Nichols said. Rackliffe searched the area Tuesday night as well and is in a middle of a search now, Nichols added.

The family has also organized family and friends to assist with the search Wednesday, he said.

The 15-year-old was last seen wearing jeans, a light blue T-shirt and a long sleeve blue T-shirt and gray sneakers. He is about 85 to 90 pounds and about 5 feet, 6 inches tall. He has blonde hair and brown eyes.

"It is assumed that due to the heavy density of bugs in the woods, that teen may be held up in an unoccupied structure or car," Nichols said via email Wednesday.

Anyone who has seen Merrill is being asked to contact the Franklin County Sheriff's Office through the Franklin County Regional Communications Center at 207-778-6140.