A half-human "bat boy" that was captured in West Virginia last spring has escaped from the research facility where he was taken for observation -- and is still running free!

Zoologist Ron Dillon said the 2-foot, 19-pound creature was last seen in downtown Wheeling, on September 10. In spite of his small size, the boy has razor-sharp teeth, the strength of an ape and should be considered extremely dangerous, the expert said.

"This is a tragedy beyond measure," continued Dr. Dillon, who has been studying the bat boy since his capture last May.

"This little creature is quick, powerful, and as much as I hate to say it, as vicious as a lion in the wild. If he feels his life is threatened, he will lash out without fear of consequences.

"We mustn't forget that this child evolved as a cave dweller and knows nothing about our society and civilization.

"I hope and pray that we are able to capture him before anybody gets hurt."

As Weekly World News and other major media reported earlier this year, Dillon and his research team found the bat boy while studying subterranean life-forms in a cave near Seneca Rocks in the Shenandoah Mountains.

The experts subdued the creature with a tranquilizer injection and took him to a private facility in Wheeling to continue their observations.

At the time it was reported that the boy had large amber eyes that allow him to see in the dark and oversize ears that work like radar.

It was also noted that the boy, who appears to be three or four years old, consumed his weight in live insects every day.

"As time went on we determined that the boy possesses an intelligence rivaling that of the smartest chimps and apes," said Dillon.

"We felt like we were on the verge of learning how to communicate with him when he twisted the heavy steel padlock off his holding cell and escaped. The bat boy was last seen heading south and there's no telling where he will turn up next," continued the expert.

"He moves so quickly that I wouldn't be surprised if he was in Virginia or Kentucky by now."

Dillon refused to speculate on what might have caused the boy to flee the facility and flatly denied rumors that a drunk custodian beat the creature the night before he escaped.

The expert went on to say that he and his research team set traps in and around the mountain cave where the boy was originally captured.

But at this late date, it's highly unlikely that he can or will return to it.

Dillon said that he has warned authorities across the country to be on the lookout for the creature.

Given enough time, he explained, the bat child could turn up anywhere in the United States.

"Our task is all the more difficult because the bat boy moves by night and sleeps by day," said Dillon.

"It's a little like trying to spot a shadow on a cloudy, moonless night.

"The harder you look the less you see. That's what we're up against."