A new picture of Carnel Chamberlain with longer hair was released today. Right now, he has a short buzz cut, but it's the best photo investigators have showing his facial features.
Tuesday's search for Carnel centered in and around retention ponds near the reservation where the 4-year-old was last seen.
Search teams started using sonar equipment to comb through those ponds for a second time. This follows Monday's search, which use cadaver dogs in a near by wooded area.
Authorities are acting on a search warrant carried out against the mother's 20-year-old boyfriend, Anthony Bennett.
He was the last person to see Carnel and is considered a person of interest in the disappearance.
Court documents revealed more about the adults in Carnel's life. 6 News checked court records in Isabella County and found an abuse and neglect petition was filed back in February of 2008, just a month after Carnel was born. The documents say his mother, now 21-year-old Jaimie Chamberlain, told a probation officer to take the child because she didn't want him anymore and didn't love him.
She reportedly had a substance abuse problem and admitted to smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol. The documents also show she had a history of running away from home.
Carnel's biological father, Byron Keith Francis, was also named in the abuse and neglect petition. 6 News checked records with the Michigan Department of Corrections and found he's now behind bars serving a 4 to 10 year sentence for felonious assault.
The man taking care of Carnel when he disappeared, Anthony Michael Bennett, served time in prison for trying to assault a police officer and running from police.
He was released a little more than a year ago.
Carnel's mother says she's desperate to find her son. Tribal officials say she spent Tuesday searching a wooded area near her home.
"I just love my son and I want him back. I love his green eyes and his face and his cheeks and I just miss his face. I miss his face and I miss his voice," Chamberlain said.
But Chamberlain doesn't believe she'll ever see her son alive. She says too many days have passed since he disappeared.
