Reward Money Doubled for Info on Kyron Horman's Whereabouts

July 27, 2010 — -- Police have doubled a reward to $50,000 for information that leads them to missing 7-year-old Kyron Horman, who mysteriously disappeared from his Oregon elementary school 53 days ago.

"I'd like to announce that the initial reward of $25,000 ... is being increased to $50,000, effective 3 p.m. today," said Chief Dep. Tim Moore of the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office.

Police said the reward, offered by an anonymous donor, will be paid out for "specific information that leads us to Kyron."

As prosecutors impaneled a grand jury, police Tuesday said they could not provide details on an ongoing criminal investigation. Authorities previously have suggested the criminal investigation is focused on the second-grader's stepmother, Terri Horman, the last person to be seen with him.

Kyron's biological mother, Desiree Young, made a tearful appeal at a press conference Tuesday, telling her son they were working everything to find him.

"We love you, Kyron," she said. "Never give up hope. We are all coming to get you to bring you home.

"We feel the investigation continues to be on track and is progressing toward finding Kyron," Young said. "Our goals are to expedite the search, bring him home as quickly as possible, and bring justice to anyone responsible for his disappearance."

Police said they had received 3,500 leads and thousands of tips, according to Capt. Monty Reiser.

Reiser said all tips were processed by experienced detectives, ranked in order of credibility and tracked using special computer software.