Reward offered in case of missing Lake Elsinore boy

By: JOHN HALL - Staff Writer | Wednesday, August 18, 2004 9:10 PM PDT ∞

A $5,000 reward is being offered for the safe return of a 9-year-old Lake Elsinore boy who has been missing from near Big Bear Lake since July 31.

The disappearance of David Gonzales sparked a massive, nine-day search by law enforcement and volunteer search teams, which was finally called off Aug. 8.

San Bernardino County sheriff's officials said they did all they could and exhausted all possible leads before calling off the search.

David was camping with his family in Fawnskin, near Big Bear Lake, when he headed to his parents' truck to fetch a box of cookies. He never came back, leading to a frantic search by his family, then a call to authorities for help.

Hundreds of volunteers gathered on the mountain to look for the boy, who stands only 3 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs 52 pounds.

David's father, Jose, has said that he believes someone may have abducted his son, but authorities say they have no evidence of that.

The $5,000 reward, being offered through a foundation that specializes in helping those who don't have the resources for rewards, was announced Wednesday at a press conference in San Bernardino.

Authorities ask that anyone with information about David's disappearance or his whereabouts call the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department at (909) 387-3589.

The Gonzales family could not be reached for comment Wednesday after an announcement was made that the reward was being offered.

The Carole Sund/Carrington Memorial Reward Foundation was formed five years ago after the disappearance of three women on a sightseeing trip to Yosemite National Park. The three were later found dead, but their families pledged to find a way to help others who were searching for missing loved ones.

Kim Petersen, executive director of the foundation, said by telephone Wednesday that they were contacted a week ago by David's father, seeking the foundation's help. The Sheriff's Department agreed that the reward could help, so one was established, Petersen said.

"Time is of the essence in cases like this one," Petersen said. "We are hoping that someone saw something or knows something about what happened to David and will have the courage to come forward.

"David's family is living a horrible nightmare right now," Petersen said.

The foundation has offered $2 million in 200 cases in 36 states in the last five years, Petersen said. As a result of those rewards being offered, she said, 20 murder suspects and one attempted murder suspect have been apprehended and four missing persons ---- two adults and two children ---- have been found.

Petersen said that often a financial incentive gives a person the motivation to come forward with information.

"David's case is so sad," Petersen said. "This was a family enjoying a camping trip together and he just disappears."

For more information about the reward foundation, go to www.carolesundfoundation.com. The organization can be reached by calling (888) 813-8389.

A Web site with information about David's case has also been created at www.davidgonzales.org.

Contact staff writer John Hall at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2628, or jhall@californian.com.