Missing Toddler with Autism Found Dead After He Went Missing on Family Outing to Florida Park: 'Heartbreaking'
Authorities do not suspect foul play in connection with the death of the child, who was reportedly nonverbal
Authorities in Florida say a boy with autism has been found dead hours after he disappeared while at a local park with family.
The body of Waylon Childs, 4, was found in Central Park near Fleming Avenue in Ormond Beach on Sunday, Nov. 17, according to a news release from the Ormond Beach Police Department (OBPD).
Police said the child was at the park with his father and two of his siblings, who were also under the age of 5, around noon that same day when he disappeared.
A dive team located the boy’s body around 9 p.m. local time on Nov. 17, police said.
Related: Missing 5-Year-Old Boy with Autism Found Dead in Pond Near Home: ‘A Nightmare’
Authorities do not suspect foul play in connection with Waylon’s death, Ormond Beach police public information officer Pauline Dulang said at a press conference shared by NBC affiliate WESH. Police said the boy was also nonverbal, according to the report.
Dulang did not say how the boy entered the water. She said now is the time to “come together as a community.”
“It’s just an unfortunate day and a tragic case today,” Dulang told reporters.
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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office “and local law enforcement from neighboring cities” assisted with the search for Waylon, according to the OBPD.
“We pulled out as many stops as we possibly could,” Dulang said at the press conference. “We had eyes in the air, eyes on the ground and eyes in the water.”
Related: Father Speaks Out About 5-Year-Old Boy with Autism Who Died After Leaving Home While Mom Napped
In a statement, Police Chief Jesse Godfrey thanked the community and all the agencies involved in looking for Waylon “for their support and efforts during this search.”
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy, and our hearts are with Waylon’s family during this unimaginable loss,” Godfrey said.
The chief added that the department “remains committed to standing with the family and our community in the days ahead.”