VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) -- Virginia Beach Police have launched an extensive search for 12-year-old Juan Sebastian Mejia Acevedo. The boy’s mother told 10 On Your Side that her son never reached his friend’s house on the Friday he disappeared. She said she had given him permission to visit a friend’s home to work on homework between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., but he never made it there. The Virginia State Police (VSP) issued an Amber Alert for Juan around 5:45 am Saturday. He was last seen by his parents on Mica Avenue in Virginia Beach around 9 a.m. Friday. Juan is a student at Larkspur Middle School. VBCPS did not have in-person classes on Friday.  “They thought he was home doing homework. A snow day for students here in the area. He, I think, was seen on a ring camera somewhere around 2 p.m. I think we've seen that family believed he was at a friend's house, and at around 9 p.m., when he didn't show up back home, they started to become concerned,” said Jody Saunders, Chief Communications Officer with VBPD.  10 On Your Side’s Karina Garcia spoke with Juan’s mother on the phone. “When we got home, he was not home. We told him he could go to his friend's house from two to four, but we just thought because he wasn’t home, he was probably still at his friend's house as boys do. We went to his friend's house, spoke to the parents and the parents tell us he never came to their house,” said Jenni Acevedo, Juan’s mother.  Jenni went on Facebook Live to get the word out to see if friends or family could help. That’s when several ransom requests came in. “They made me go to a nearby Walmart and asked for money. I did not give the full amount, just part of it,” said Acevedo.  Juan’s mother sent $500, and they then demanded $10,000, and she realized she was getting scammed.  “We have to treat it as a credible lead. And so that's why our federal partners are here helping us with this potential abduction, and we'll chase that all the way to its end,” said Saunders.  Juan is their only child. The family is desperate to find him, and the mother believes he is still on Mica Avenue.  Local and federal law enforcement have been canvassing the neighborhood, using drones, knocking on doors, and on Sunday added mounted patrol. VBPD does not believe it is a recovery mission; out of caution, the marine patrol unit is searching nearby lakes and ponds. “We also enlisted the help of some of our Hispanic Citizens Police Academy alumni to help be shoulder to shoulder with our officers, knock on doors and assist translating, if necessary,” said Saunders.  According to Saunders, the family has recently moved, and VBPD is also looking at the other areas they have lived in as well as the current entire neighborhood.  One neighbor who lives in the apartment complex says police have knocked on his door asking for additional information.  “They asked if I'd seen any suspicious activity around here. Cars that kind of look unfamiliar here. And I have not,” said resident Gavin Sands. VBPD has contacted ICE and confirmed that Juan is not in ICE custody. “Our first and only priority is the safety and well-being of our community. And that comes regardless of immigration status,” said Saunders.  VBPD has created an anonymous digital evidence portal where people can upload photos and videos about this case. Juan is described as: Age: 12 Height: 5’8” Weight: 105 pounds Hair Color: black Eye Color: brown Clothing: Last seen wearing a gray jacket, red hoodie, and blue pants If you have any information about this case, you can submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-888-LOCK-U-UP, downloading the P3 tips app to a mobile device, or visiting www.P3tips.com and submitting a tip.