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Father of missing Gastonia boy: It's torture, I want my little boy back home

As the search for a missing 6-year-old Gastonia boy with autism neared the end of the fifth day, the boy's father spoke to the media on Wednesday to answer questions about the last time he saw his son.

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GASTONIA, N.C. — As the search for a missing 6-year-old Gastonia boy with autism neared the end of the fifth day, the boy's father spoke to the media on Wednesday to answer questions about the last time he saw his son.

Maddox Ritch was with his father, Ian Ritch, and another adult at Rankin Lake Park on Saturday when he ran ahead and vanished, police said.

Maddox doesn't speak, making his disappearance even more complex.

Ian Ritch said that Maddox initially took off a little ways ahead, maybe "25 to 30 feet" before he went into a "major sprint."

"I started worrying once I could not see him anyone," Ritch said.

Ritch said he now feel guilt for letting his son get so far ahead of him, but said Maddox loves to run.

"It's torture. I just want my little boy back home. I want to give him a big hug as soon as I see him," Ritch said.

Ritch, who has diabetes, said he has some trouble running but took off after his son.

"He looked back at me and laughed like he normally does ... he slowed down a little then he paced himself back up," he said.

Ritch also begged anyone who might have been at the park that day to contact authorities.

Carrie Ritch, Maddox's mother, gave a brief statement during a news conference on Tuesday.

"Maddox is my whole world and my reason for living," Carrie Ritch said. "His smile is so contagious, and his laughter is so precious."

Gastonia Fire Chief Phil Welch said the 250-acre park has been searched several times on foot with tracking dogs. Helicopters, drones, all-terrain vehicles and boats with sonar and dive teams also have been used in the search, he said.

Authorities also have drained some of the water from the lake to assist in the search, Welch said.

In total, about 330 people are assisting in the investigation.

FBI supervisory special agent Jason Kaplan said the county landfill and other areas in Gastonia have been searched for clues to the boy's disappearance.

On Wednesday, Kaplan said that a special FBI dive team was brought on to assist and was searching for evidence.

Gastonia Police Chief Robert Helton said Tuesday that investigators have interviewed 260 people so far and followed up on 150 leads. They are also reviewing video from nearby security cameras.

"Hundreds of people were in the park Saturday, and we feel sure more people noticed Maddox than the ones we have talked to," Helton said.

Authorities said everyone in Maddox's family has been cooperating with the investigation.

Maddox is described as white, with blonde hair and green eyes. He stands 4 feet tall and weighs about 45 pounds. He was last seen wearing black shorts and an orange shirt reading "I am the man."

Maddox was last seen wearing this shirt and these shoes

The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for information in his disappearance.

Anyone with information about Maddox can call authorities at 704-869-1075.

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