A massive search spanning two provinces has expanded for a three-year-old boy who may have been abducted from his family home in southeastern B.C.

On Wednesday afternoon, police issued an Amber Alert for Kienan Hebert and Randall Peter Hopley, 46, whom they described Thursday as a suspect in the case.

Around noon PT on Thursday, RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk said search efforts involving hundreds of volunteers and police were continuing throughout the community of Sparwood, where the boy's family lives, and further afield.

The RCMP's serious crimes unit has taken over the case and about 20 officers have been assigned to the investigation, said Moskaluk.

Police are also looking for Randall Peter Hopley, 46, as a person of interest in the case. RCMP

"All policing services in the province of British Columbia and spilling over into Alberta were aware of this investigation prior to the public notification [Wednesday] and we are conducting efforts to be on the lookout for, and be attempting to locate, the vehicle and Mr. Hopley and the child," said Moskaluk

Hopley is described as:

• 46 years old.
• Brown hair.
• Hazel eyes.
• Caucasian.
• Having a birthmark along his hairline.
• He may be driving a brown 1987 Toyota Camry with B.C. licence plate 098 RAL.

Throughout the small community of Sparwood, located about 600 kilometres east of Vancouver near the Alberta border, groups of volunteers led by search and rescue teams could been seen walking shoulder to shoulder through yards, fields and forested areas searching for the child Thursday.

Police released this picture of a vehicle like Randall Peter Hopley's. RCMP

Moskaluk said members of the boy's family are working closely with police and the family has moved to a neighbour's home while police conduct a crime scene investigation of their house.

Overnight, two search-and-rescue helicopters equipped with night-vision equipment from the Royal Canadian Air Force base in Comox also searched the area. RCMP helicopters were also involved in the search.

Father remains hopeful

Hundreds of emergency officials and volunteers spent much of Wednesday searching for the child.

Kienan's father, Paul Hebert, told reporters on Thursday morning that he is hopeful his son will be found safe.

"We know that everybody is on hand. The professionals are doing what they can do and we just have faith that Kienan will be coming back home and safe," he said.

Hebert described his reaction when he and his wife realized their son was missing on Wednesday morning.

"As any parent, when you see your kid missing, it's not a funny feeling, you know. It's a sick feeling, you know. It's a sick feeling in your gut, and we knew what we needed to do. It was 911. Let them do their job," he said.

Initially feared boy was sleepwalking

Kienan was last seen by his mother when she put him to bed on Tuesday evening in the family's home.

He was reported missing about 9 a.m. MT Wednesday after his parents discovered he was not in his bed.

Kienan has red hair and was last seen wearing a blue pair of Scooby-Doo boxer shorts.

Initially, police said they suspected Kienan may have wandered from his home while sleepwalking and a massive search of the area was launched.

After a long day of searching, hundreds of volunteers and officials gathered for a candlelight vigil on Wednesday night before forming a line to continue the search late into the night.

Police began calling Hopley a suspect in the case Thursday. Anyone who sees him is asked to call 911 immediately with any information.

Police said Hopley, who is not related to the Hebert family, lives in the Sparwood area and has a police record with a dozen convictions for breaking and entering and one sexual assault conviction.

"He does have a history of breaking into homes in the Elk Valley. In many instances ... there have been children's belongings [stolen] and in one instance he was in one residence where there was another young child," said RCMP Sgt Dave Dubnyk.

Three years ago Hopley was charged with child abduction and unlawful confinement in connection with a break-in, but those charges were eventually dropped.

Kienan's father said the family was relying on their faith in God to help them get through.

"You know when it is trying times, it's God ... We are only human, and it's only by God that we can stay strong," he said.

Hebert said Kienan is one of eight children in the family. He described his son as a happy, innocent child who loves McDonald's food.