Authorities and community members in Auburn continued searching Thursday for 13‑year‑old Nolan Mayes, who left his Lakeland Hills home in the early hours of the morning and has not been seen since. According to reporting by MyNorthwest, home security footage showed Nolan leaving shortly before 3 a.m. carrying a backpack and a grocery bag filled with water. He was reportedly dressed in pajama pants, a sweatshirt, and socks, and was not wearing shoes.

MyNorthwest reported that Nolan’s mother, Christina Mayes, told KIRO Newsradio that her son left a note indicating he planned to travel to a different city, though it did not specify which one. She also said Nolan is on the autism spectrum and experiences selective mutism, a detail that has heightened the urgency of the search.

According to reporting by MyNorthwest, search efforts have been focused in Auburn, including the Sunset Park area, and have expanded toward Sumner. Neighbors in Lakeland Hills have begun organizing to assist, with residents sharing updates and coordinating search areas.

Nolan is described as having dark blonde or brown hair and blue eyes. He left riding a bicycle and may have traveled a significant distance before his family discovered he was gone.

Local police agencies across Western Washington have historically coordinated in cases involving missing or vulnerable youth who may move across jurisdictions. Families in Cowlitz County and along the I‑5 corridor are periodically affected by statewide alerts, including AMBER Alerts, Silver Alerts, and advisories involving missing children with disabilities. While no regional alert specific to Cowlitz County had been issued as of Thursday, cases like Nolan’s often prompt increased public attention far beyond the city where the disappearance occurs.

Anyone who sees Nolan or has information about his whereabouts is urged to call 911 or contact the Auburn Police Department.

Why this matters

Missing child cases involving minors with disabilities can quickly become multi‑jurisdictional, especially when a child is mobile and leaves during overnight hours. For communities in Southwest Washington, regional awareness plays a role in ensuring timely reporting if a child crosses county lines. While Nolan was last seen in Auburn, Washington’s interconnected transportation corridors mean sightings or information can surface far from the initial search area.

Sources

MyNorthwest: Auburn family searches for missing 13‑year‑old with autism who left home in the middle of the night