Police are looking for University of Minnesota student Keaton Patrick Murphy, 20, who has been missing since Thursday night and is a suspect in a child pornography case.

Police launched a missing person investigation Saturday, “slowly, with regard to his welfare,” University police Chief Greg Hestness said.

MurphyâÄôs family is concerned he may be depressed and suicidal.

Police arrested Murphy at 3:50 p.m. Thursday, believing him to be involved in the distribution of child pornography, according to the Hennepin County jail roster. No one has heard from him since his release that night.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension issued a crime alert Saturday in response to concerns from MurphyâÄôs family.

“WeâÄôre worried sick,” Rochelle Murphy, his mother, said.

The University of Minnesota Police Department is handling the missing person case.

“We are really mainly concerned with his personal welfare,” Hestness said.

Anyone with information regarding MurphyâÄôs whereabouts is urged to contact the University Police Department at (612) 624-COPS.

As of print time, Murphy had not been found. Check mndaily.com for updates.