Amber Alert for missing Roanoke toddler

4:07 p.m.

Roanoke City Police just sent out an update.

Investigators say they have set up a command center inside in the Police Department for the case. It will be staffed 24 hours a day.

Police are using FBI software to help gather tips from the community, as well as organize the information to help officers in the field.

Officers are handing out fliers about Aveion across the city. They have also re-searched the area in and around the Jamestown Place apartments, as well as the Roanoke River and woods near King Charles Avenue. The search included the use of K-9 units, and a State Police helicopter that has infrared technology onboard.

Investigators tell us they are also looking at surveillance video from businesses in the area.

If you have any information, call Roanoke City Police at (540) 853-2212.

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1:28 p.m.

From Meagan Farley, in the field
WSLS Anchor
mfarley@wsls.com

I just spoke with the brother of Aveion's mother. He tells me the ransom note was written on a piece of paper from inside the home, and that paper was a medical bill from Carilion.

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12:52 p.m.

From Meagan Farley, in the field
WSLS Anchor
mfarley@wsls.com

I just spoke with the mother and step-father of Aveion Lewis.

They tell me the note demands $10,000, and Aveion has a health problem because he was born premature.

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12:40 p.m.

Roanoke Police say State Police accidentally cancelled the Amber Alert for 2-year-old Aveion Lewis.

The Amber Alert is STILL in effect.

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12:27 p.m.

State Police have cancelled the Amber Alert.

We are still waiting to hear if the toddler has been found.

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11:55 a.m. Friday

FBI agents are now involved with the search, according to a news release from Roanoke City Police.

Our newsroom at the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that Richmond area police departments were told that an SUV matching the description of the suspect vehicle, may had been spotted in the area earlier today getting off of Interstate 295 in Hanover County.

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3:40 a.m. Friday

State Police have issued an Amber Alert for 2-year-old Aveion M. Lewis.

They say he was last seen wearing a yellow Sponge Bob Squarepants Footie Pajamas.

Investigators say his stepfather was knocked unconscious after he opened the back door of the family's apartment.

State Police say a note requesting money was left behind.

State Police also say the three suspects had been hanging around the back of the apartment, and the stepfather had asked them to leave.

Click here for a description of the suspects

If you have any information, call Roanoke Police Department at (540) 853-2212 or Virginia State Police at 1-800-822-4453 (1-800-VACHILD).

For more information: http://www.vaamberalert.com/

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11:13 p.m. Thursday
Roanoke Police are searching for a missing child.

2-year-old Aveion Lewis went missing Thursday night from the Jamestown Place apartments in the 2100 block of King Charles Avenue.

Officers were called to the apartment at 6:41 p.m.

Aveion's mother told police that three men came into her home and knocked another man inside unconscious.

When that man woke up, he noticed Aveion was missing, and found a 4-year-old girl tied up.

Roanoke Police say the suspects may have left in a large white SUV.

The Police Department is currently working on activating an Amber Alert.