The parents of a missing child received ransom demands via a private messaging app as police searched the area, prompting investigators to upgrade the case to an abduction.

Juan Sebastian Mejia Acevedo, 12, was last seen by his parents around 9 a.m. Friday in the 200 block of Mica Avenue. When he wasn’t home from a friend’s house by 9 p.m., they called the police.

The missing boy’s family started a Facebook Live feed to ask other family and friends for help while police were searching for him. During this livestream, they received multiple “ransom requests” through the messaging app WhatsApp, according to police.

Virginia Beach police said in a news release they contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and confirmed that Acevedo is not in ICE custody. Investigators have employed drones and helicopters, along with mounted patrols, additional officers and cadets to help with canvassing the neighborhood.

“While we do not believe this is a recovery mission, out of an abundance of caution, we have deployed our marine patrol unit to search nearby lakes and ponds, leaving no stone unturned,” police said in a news release.

“We are doing everything we can to locate Juan and return him safely to his family,” VBPD Police Chief Paul Neudigate said in a statement. “The community’s help is crucial, and we urge anyone who has seen or heard anything to contact us right away.”

Acevedo is described as being 5 feet 8 inches tall weighing 105 pounds with black hair, brown eyes and was last seen wearing a grey jacket with a red hoodie and blue pants.