SMITHFIELD -- Authorities spent Monday looking for a missing Johnston County boy who disappeared on Sunday afternoon. Police issued an Amber Alert for 3-year-old Siraj Davenport after they say the boy vanished from the Brightleaf Flea Market in Smithfield.

Investigators set up a command post there as a number of police units looked for the boy.

"I know some of what the mother is going through because my oldest son disappeared for a short period of time when he was 3 [years old,] and it's just not a good feeling. You know, he's lost, he's scared, he needs to be found,” neighbor Wendy Ivey said.

Authorities started looking for Davenport again Monday, and the search is a joint effort by a number of law enforcement agencies, including the State Highway Patrol, the Smithfield Police Department, the Johnston County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI. Several volunteers also got up early to lend a hand but were asked to let authorities do their search first.

"Being a mother and trying to put myself in her shoes, I would want the entire world looking for my child and trying to put him back in my arms, so it's just a little frustrating because you just want to help,” neighbor Caren Wharton said. She tried to help but was turned away.

Smithfield's police chief said he is hoping for the best.

"I think there's a good likelihood [that we’ll find him.] Obviously, the longer that goes by, the more difficult it becomes, but there's nothing that's making us slow down on anything,” police Capt. Steve Gillikin said. “It's just simply that every minute that goes by is another minute we don't know where the kid is."

That’s why Wendy Ivey hopes the searchers make every minute count.

"We need to find him. He needs to be with his mama,” she said.

Officials have set up a hotline for people with information to call. If you know anything, you are urged to call (919) 989-5740 or (919) 989-5729.