CRYSTAL — The father of a missing 10-year-old Minnesota boy was seen near the Mississippi River shortly after his son’s disappearance, and he is still considered a suspect in the case, police said Thursday.

Crystal Police Chief Stephanie Revering said authorities have been searching the river for Barway Collins, who disappeared after school more than a week ago. Revering said the boy’s father, Pierre Collins, continues to be untruthful as investigators try to find his son.

Revering said police have “strong evidence” that Pierre Collins was near the Mississippi River near Interstate 694 — in an area where he used to fish — between the hours of 4 and 6 p.m. on March 18. Collins reported his son was missing at 6:37 that night.

He has told reporters he had nothing to do with his son’s disappearance, and he has not been arrested or charged. At a Monday night vigil, he begged the community to keep searching.

Collins did not immediately return a phone message left Thursday by The Associated Press.