MONTEZUMA, Iowa —
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and Poweshiek County Sheriff confirmed that an adolescent's body was found at about 2 p.m. Thursday.
Authorities said a local farmer was doing fieldwork when they came across human remains. DCI said they discovered clothing that was similar to what 11-year-old Xavior Harrelson was wearing when he went missing, though they have not confirmed it was Xavior.
Xavior went missing on May 27. Authorities said he was last seen riding his bike in Montezuma, where he lived with his mother.
Xavior went missing only days before his eleventh birthday. A neighbor reported him missing.
In August, his mother, Sarah Harrelson, told authorities she had no idea where he could be.
"I just want him found," said Harrelson in her first interview since her son's disappearance. Harrelson said she remained publicly quiet until now because of her heartbreak and anxiety.
On Sept. 9, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation received a tip that led them to search Fox Forest County Recreation Area.
The DCI told KCCI they interviewed hundreds of people over the course of the investigation and kept in regular contact with Sarah Harrelson.
The reward fund for information regarding Xavior is at about $34,000 as of Sept. 21.
Mollie Tibbetts' mother donated money towards Xavior's reward fund. Tibbetts went missing in 2018 and her remains were found in rural Poweshiek County later that summer.
Multiple fundraisers and searches for Xavior have been organized over the past few months.
Three months after Xavior went missing, a Day of Action was planned. Iowans were asked to do three things to help spread the word about Xavior's case.
https://www.kcci.com/article/heavy-law-enforcement-presence-reported-north-of-montezuma-poweshiek-county/37810307#...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C35qKx6kJ94