IDAHO FALLS — Police are asking the public’s assistance in locating 11-year-old Otto Crew, who was reported missing after leaving his home in the early afternoon on Monday, Aug. 17.
Last known movements
According to the Idaho Falls Police Department, Otto was last seen sometime after 12:30 p.m. leaving a residence on Saturn Avenue. Officials have not released details about the circumstances surrounding his departure and have not indicated any urgent medical needs.
Physical description and contact information
Officers describe Otto as approximately 5 feet tall and weighing about 100 pounds. He has a slim build and brown hair. At this time, police have not published what he was wearing when he left home.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Otto Crew |
| Age | 11 |
| Last seen | After 12:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17 — Saturn Ave., Idaho Falls |
| Height / Weight | 5 ft / 100 lbs |
| Hair | Brown |
How the public can help
Authorities are asking anyone with information about Otto’s location or who may have seen him after 12:30 p.m. to contact Idaho Falls dispatch immediately at (208) 529-1200. Tips can be vital even if they seem small — a vehicle description, the direction a child walked, or the name of a nearby location could aid investigators.
- Check recent photos or messages that might show where Otto was headed.
- If you saw a child matching this description after 12:30 p.m. Monday, call dispatch at (208) 529-1200.
- Do not attempt to approach anyone who could be armed; instead, report details to police.
What to expect next
When a child is reported missing, local law enforcement typically interviews family members and potential witnesses, canvasses the neighborhood, and reviews nearby surveillance footage if available. Police may also coordinate with regional agencies to broaden the search perimeter. Investigators try to balance rapid public notification with withholding sensitive details that could compromise the investigation.
At this stage, police have not indicated that a statewide alert or an AMBER Alert has been activated. Those decisions are governed by specific criteria, including confirmation of an abduction and other risk factors; such determinations are made by law enforcement as the investigation unfolds.
Community response and safety reminders
Neighbors and community members often take an active role in missing-person searches by sharing information on social media and checking local areas where children often gather, such as parks, schools and businesses. Police caution, however, that uncoordinated searches can sometimes impede formal investigations, and they encourage anyone with potentially useful information to call dispatch rather than posting speculative updates online.
Parents and guardians are reminded to review basic safety steps with their children: ensuring they know how to contact a trusted adult, memorizing home phone numbers, and recognizing when to seek help from a uniformed authority figure. If you think you may have inadvertently captured helpful information on a home security system or dash camera, preserve that footage and contact authorities with details about where and when it was recorded.
Contact and follow-up
Anyone who may have seen Otto or who has information relevant to the investigation should contact Idaho Falls Police dispatch immediately at (208) 529-1200. The department has asked the public to share information rather than speculation while officers work to locate the boy.
WE NEWS will continue to monitor this situation and will update this report as the Idaho Falls Police Department releases more details.
