VALLECITO, Colo., June 27 (UPI) -- The remains of a 13-year-old Colorado boy missing since November have been found, authorities said Thursday.
Dylan Redwine's remains were discovered about 10 miles from his home north of Vallecito Lake, The Denver Post reported. Mark Redwine said the LaPlata County Sheriff's Office's news about his son "blindsided" him.
"I cannot wrap my head around it," the father said. "You can never be prepared for something like this."
The remains were found during a search this week and have been positively identified as Dylan's, the Sheriff's Office said.
The teen had disappeared during a court-ordered Thanksgiving week visit with his father, whose relationship with the boy's mother, Elaine Redwine of the Colorado Springs area, has been characterized as contentious.
"I am reaching out to his mom so he can have a proper burial," Mark Redwine said. "Making sure he gets a proper burial and the respect he deserves is what I have to focus on."
Sheriff's Department spokesman Dan Bender said bones and other items were found during a five-day, follow-up search in the Vallecito area and were confirmed as Dylan's by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation
Bender said the case was regarded a criminal investigation and the parents were cooperating.
Mark Redwine has said he left his son at home alone while he ran errands, and the boy was gone when he returned.
The parents have blamed each other for their son's disappearance, the Post said.
