The body of a 4-year-old boy was found in a park in Volusia County on Sunday night, hours after he was reported missing.
According to the Ormond Beach Police Department, at around 9 p.m. on Sunday, November 17, the Volusia County Dive Team recovered the body of Waylon Childs in Central Park, near Fleming Avenue, in Ormond Beach.
Earlier in the day, officers responded to a report of a missing child. A father had been at the park with his three young children, all under the age of 5, when Waylon wandered away from him.
Waylon had autism and was nonverbal, according to law enforcement.
A search party was formed by the Ormond Beach Police Department, with assistance from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, and law enforcement officers from neighboring cities.
An exhaustive search was launched, which covered all areas including the ground and surrounding water, and it came to a tragic end when Waylan’s body was located.
No further details were provided by law enforcement.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy, and our hearts are with Waylon’s family during this unimaginable loss,” said Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey on Sunday night.
“We would like to thank the community and all the agencies involved for their support and efforts during this search,” added Chief Godfrey. “The Ormond Beach Police Department remains committed to standing with the family and our community in the days ahead.”