The Merced County Sheriff’s Department has activated their search and rescue team in an effort to find a 7-year-old autistic boy who went missing in the Hilmar area Thursday morning.

Isaac Sprague was practicing archery in the area of Kelly Road, near the Merced/Stanislaus County line in Hilmar, when he went missing around 11 a.m. said sheriff spokesman Deputy Delray Shelton.

 A family member searched for Isaac for about an hour before calling the sheriff’s department.

“Thus far the investigation has yielded that Sprague walked away from his family member’s van,” Shelton said.

The area in which Isaac was last seen is remote and heavily wooded, with a body of water in the near vicinity, Shelton said.

The sheriff’s department has called out air support and K9 teams to assist with the search.

Isaac is described as white male juvenile with short brown hair and brown eyes. He stands about 4 feet, weighing approximately 55 pounds.

Isaac was last seen wearing blue jeans and a brown jacket, carrying a red and green blanket.

Isaac cannot communicate due to his autism, Shelton said.

Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of the child, please call 911 immediately.