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Father Leads Search For Missing 5-Year-Old In Fitchburg

FITCHBURG (CBS) -- On wooded hillsides and city streets, searchers looked Saturday for any sign of a 5-year-old Fitchburg boy who has been missing for more than three months.

Jeremiah Oliver was last seen on Sept. 14.

The boy's father, Jose, led Saturday's search effort. "We went everywhere, but nothing," he said after the search wrapped up.

Jose Oliver believes his estranged wife, Elsa, may know something about the boy's disappearance. He said Elsa Oliver walked out of his life with their children two years ago.

Elsa Oliver and her boyfriend, Alberto Sierra, are being held on child abuse charges, and police are openly concerned that Jeremiah may have been killed.

Emotions are running high in Fitchburg, with people participating in Saturday's search including not only his family members but also neighbors and complete strangers.

One man came with two gifts for Jose Oliver: a hug and a set of rosary beads.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports

Father Leads Search For Missing 5-Year-Old In Fitchburg

Compounding the tragedy, it appears Jeremiah may have fallen through cracks in the state's child protection system. Two social workers have been fired for failing to make required visits to the the boy's home. And Jeremiah's disappearance only came to light when his sister told a school counselor.

WBZ-TV's Jim Smith contributed to this report.

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