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A short walk into the woods near his family's mobile home became the last known outing of 4-year-old Andrew "Andy" Amato. More than four decades later, his family and investigators are still seeking information about what happened to him.

The FBI's Boston Field Office issued this notice:

The FBI's Boston Field Office and the Webster Police Department in Massachusetts, are investigating the suspicious disappearance of Andrew Amato and are continuing to ask the public for its assistance in locating him or his remains. Andrew was reported missing on September 30, 1978. He was last seen around 11:00 a.m. by his sister and cousin playing in the woods near his Richard Avenue home in Webster, Massachusetts. Andrew, also known as Andy, was 4 years old at the time of his disappearance and was wearing a maroon-colored snorkel jacket, jeans, a white Mickey Mouse t-shirt, and brown shoes with a jogger stripe.

Who He Was

Andrew Amato, known as Andy, was born in Webster, Massachusetts, on February 1, 1974. He was 4 years old when he disappeared.

Andrew was about 3 feet 6 inches tall and weighed about 38 pounds. He had blond hair and blue eyes, a 1-inch scar on the right side of his head at the hairline, and a mole behind his right ear.

Family photographs show Andrew on a ride-on toy horse, holding a plush dog toy and sitting among holiday gifts.

The Timeline

On September 30, 1978, Andrew was with his 7-year-old sister and 6-year-old cousin in a wooded area next to the Ash Street Trailer Park in Webster. The children were on a trail near Route 52, now Interstate 395. Their families lived in the mobile homes on Richard Avenue.

The FBI places Andrew's last known sighting at around 11:00 a.m. His mother reported him missing that day.

The children had reached a brook along the trail. After Andrew's two companions went back to the mobile homes for help, they returned to the woods. Andrew was gone, and there was no trace of him.

The Evidence

The defining detail of Andrew's disappearance is the toy he dropped at the brook. Investigators say Andrew stumbled while crossing the brook and dropped the toy. He refused to go home without it, so his family went to get help. When they returned, he was nowhere to be found.

Andrew's clothing provided the other immediate identifying information. He was wearing a maroon snorkel jacket, jeans, a white Mickey Mouse t-shirt and brown shoes with a jogger stripe.

No body or physical evidence has been publicly reported recovered.

The Investigation

The search begun in 1978 became a large multi-agency effort spanning Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Webster police, the National Guard and volunteers took part. According to the Charley Project, the initial search lasted ten days and found no clues.

Over the years, investigators conducted nearly 100 interviews and followed up on dozens of leads across the country. The FBI's Boston Field Office and the Webster Police Department continue to describe Andrew's case as a suspicious disappearance.

On September 18, 2025, the FBI's Underwater Search and Evidence Response Team searched Round Pond near Doe Crossing Drive in Burrillville, Rhode Island. The FBI said the team was looking for "specific evidence," declined further comment and said there was no threat to public safety.

On September 30, 2025, the FBI publicly connected the Round Pond operation to Andrew's case, stating: "Despite extensive investigative efforts, including a recent search in Burrillville, Rhode Island, Andrew is still missing."

The FBI has not disclosed what, if anything, the divers found. It also has not said why Round Pond was searched.

That same day, the 47th anniversary of Andrew's disappearance, the FBI and Webster Police announced a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for his disappearance.

Ted E. Docks, special agent in charge of the FBI's Boston division, said: "Your tip could be key to resolving this case and providing the Amatos with closure."

Andrew's sister, Michelle Amato, said in a statement shared by the FBI: "Any clue, anything that would lead to the recovery of my brother, would mean the world to me and would give my father some answers before he passes. My mother's not alive any longer for those answers, but I still need them, and I think my father deserves them."

Theories

No one has been charged, and the following reported leads remain theories rather than established explanations for Andrew's disappearance.

The volunteer Charley Project reports that investigators began pursuing a lead in November 2003 after the family of an unnamed man said he had confessed to Andrew's murder in 1999 and died of lung cancer shortly afterward. Authorities excavated a rural area near Burrillville, Rhode Island, reportedly specified in the confession, but found nothing of interest.

The Charley Project also reports that a separate excavation took place in June 1998 off Minebrook Road, about five miles from where Andrew disappeared. That search also found nothing.

Neither excavation has been connected to the 2025 Round Pond search.

Where It Stands

Andrew remains missing. Born February 1, 1974, he would be 52 in 2026. His case remains open and active with the FBI's Boston Field Office and the Webster Police Department.

The FBI continues to ask for the public's help in locating Andrew or his remains. No one has been named a suspect or person of interest, and no one has been charged.

The FBI's poster and photographs of Andrew are attached below.

Name: Andrew "Andy" Amato
Age: 4 years old when he disappeared
Last seen: Around 11:00 a.m. on September 30, 1978
Location: Webster, Massachusetts
Agency: FBI Boston Field Office and Webster Police Department
Reward: Up to $25,000
Case status: Open and active suspicious disappearance

Anyone with information can call 1-800-CALL-FBI or Webster Police at 508-943-1212 ext. 1250.