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ARCADIA, Mo. (AP) The discovery of a child's tennis shoe has raised hopes as police and volunteers in Missouri renew their search for a 3-year-old boy who wandered out of his rural home.

Joshua Childers was reported missing shortly after noon Monday.

Weather was mild during the night but officials were worried about the many ponds and creeks in the rugged area 75 miles south of St.

Louis.

Madison County Sheriff David Lewis said Tuesday that a tennis shoe that looks like the ones Joshua was wearing was found nearly a mile from the home Monday evening. Searchers have narrowed their focus to that area.

The toddler was dressed in a dark blue shirt, a pull-up diaper and tennis shoes when he went out the back door.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 05-05-09 1346CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list