VIERA, Fla. – A missing 4-year-old boy with autism was found dead Friday morning in a body of water at an apartment complex, according to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office said the boy was reported missing around 8:30 a.m.
The child was found nearly an hour later in a body of water at Mission Bay Apartments near Murrell Road and Viera Boulevard.
Tod Goodyear with the Brevard Sheriff’s Office said it took about 50 minutes from the time the mother called 911 to when deputies found the boy’s body in a lake.
“We received a call about 8:30 this morning from a frantic mother who said that one of her children somehow unlocked the door to the apartment, and she couldn’t find him,” Goodyear said.
A dispatcher reported the boy was 4 years old and autistic.
“Should be last seen wearing a diaper. He’s gonna be non-verbal,” the dispatcher told first responders.
Goodyear said then at 9:20 a.m., the sheriff’s office helicopter spotted the child’s body in one of the lakes around the complex.
“I believe I found him in the water,” that member of the STAR aviation unit reported.
Goodyear told News 6 reporter James Sparvero the child’s family is distraught.
“I just saw the grandmother come out and she walked and sat down by the lake,” he said. “It’s a tough situation all around.”
More radio recordings between first responders revealed the child may have wandered off earlier this week.
“Two days ago, he (neighbor) spotted this kid walking eastbound through the parking lot,” a first responder reported. “And same situation, 7 a.m., just wearing a diaper. And at least he made it this far, and this guy happened to stop him that day.”
Goodyear said neighbors will now be interviewed as part of the death investigation.
“Our homicide unit will be taking the lead on that, put all those factors together and try to determine, and possibly, even file with the state, depending on what circumstances we have, to see if there is any negligence involved in this child’s death, or if it’s just an unfortunate accident,” Goodyear said.
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