ORMOND BEACH, Fla. – The body of the missing 4-year-old boy was found in the park where he went missing, Ormond Beach police confirmed on Sunday evening.
Officials posted on social media announcing the “tragic loss,” saying the dive team recovered the boy’s body in Central Park at 9:02 p.m.
Waylon Childs was last seen in the area of the 600 block of Fleming Avenue, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Jesse Godfrey, chief of the Ormond Beach Police Department said that officers responded to a report of a missing child at Central Park off Fleming Avenue shortly before noon.
The boy’s father was at the park with Childs and two other children when the boy went missing, Chief Godfrey said.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy, and our hearts are with Waylon’s family during this unimaginable loss,” said Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey. “We would like to thank the community and all the agencies involved for their support and efforts during this search. The Ormond Beach Police Department remains committed to standing with the family and our community in the days ahead.”
News 6 spoke with the boy’s grandparents Sunday afternoon and they confirmed that Childs is autistic and non-verbal.
The boy’s family set up a GoFundMe to help raise money for funeral arrangements. If you’d like to donate, click here.
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