Sampson County Family Has One Wish For Holidays: Return Of 4-Year-Old Boy

A Sampson County family has one thing on their holiday wish list. They want their 4-year-old nephew, Buddy Myers, to come home. The little boy disappeared more than two months ago without a trace.

Dozens of presents are piled under the tree -- bikes, bears and the hope that Myers will show up soon to open them.

Donna Myers, Buddy's aunt, wraps every gift with a yellow bow. She has prepared for Buddy's first real Christmas ever since she found out her nephew would come live with her last August.

More than two months after she last hugged her little boy, she prays the holiday will be a joyous one.

"Every time I go to the store, I have to pick up something," she says. "I just keep making myself believe he will be home soon, and I really believe he will be. Someone out there knows where he is, and sooner or later, someone will see him."

If it takes months or even years, the Myers family says the gifts will remain unwrapped, the tree will stay standing until Buddy comes home.

Myers' friends and family made homemade yellow garland and banners. The 4-year-old boy is on everyone's mind this time of year.

"It's not knowing, there's no closure. It's hard to keep going wondering where he is at," says cousin Sherry Hicks.

It is hard to explain to his cousins and neighbors that Santa may not bring him home, but his family says that is their only Christmas wish this year.

"I had a miracle for last Christmas. My little girl sat up for the first time, so I'm hoping for another one this year," Hicks says.

The sheriff's office says they have no concrete leads that can lead them to the whereabouts of Buddy. A $10,000 reward is still being offered for information about the disappearance of the boy.