Current:Home > MarketsBoy, 8, found dead in pond near his family's North Carolina home: 'We brought closure' -EliteFunds
Boy, 8, found dead in pond near his family's North Carolina home: 'We brought closure'
View
Date:2025-04-13 23:26:17
Authorities in North Carolina have recovered the body of a missing autistic and non-verbal 8-year-old boy who officials said disappeared from his home this week.
The Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office told USA TODAY Zachariah William Walker of Ronda was found dead in a small pond near his home just before noon Wednesday.
The small town is about 45 miles northwest of Winston-Salem.
The boy was reported missing by family on Tuesday, according to the sheriff's office.
More than three dozen local and state agencies, community volunteers and friends and family searched for the boy for more than a 16 hour period after Zachariah disappeared, according to a sheriff's office press release.
Reavis said between 100 to 150 personnel across dozens of agencies participated in the search for Zach.
“We want them to know and to feel like we were here in a positive way, to support and come to a positive outcome, and even though we did not, we want to know that we brought closure and that they're in our thoughts and our prayers, and we want to support them to the best of our ability,” Wilkes County Emergency Medical Services Director Jason Reavis told WXII-TV.
Her boy wandered from home and died:This mom wants you to know the perils of 'elopement.'
Coroner to determine how Zachariah William Walker officially died
Foul play is not suspected in the missing person case, but sheriff's office Major Logan Kerr said the case remained under investigation on Friday.
A coroner will determine the boy's official cause and manner of death.
'She had a fire in her':80-year-old grandmother killed while defending dogs in Seattle carjacking
Dangers of 'elopement'
According to the National Autism Association, many non-verbal children frequently disappear in what's called "elopement" − the tendency for someone to try to leave the safety of a responsible person's care or a safe area.
Research shows some people with autism elope because they are overwhelmed with sensory stimulation of something too loud or too bright, but the most common trigger of elopement is wanting to get closer to an object, drawing their curiosity.
A review by the association discovered more than 800 elopement cases from 2011 and 2016 with nearly a third being fatal or where the child required medical attention, while another 38% involved a close call with water, traffic, or another life-threatening situation.
Do you know this suspect?Man caught on video stealing lemonade-stand money from Virginia 10-year-old siblings
Recently reported child elopement cases
A recent reported case took place Aug. 6 in Boise, Idaho, where police recovered the body of a missing autistic 5-year-old boy who disappeared from his birthday party earlier in the week.
The Boise Police Department reported Matthew Glynn's body was found on Aug. 7 in a canal about a half-mile from where the boy was last seen at home.
That same day, about 2,000 miles southeast on Florida's Atlantic coast, a 5-year-old boy with autism also disappeared from his home.
Not long after the boy went missing, a Volusia County Sheriff's Office deputy located the boy in a nearby pond holding onto a log. Body camera footage shows the deputy jumping into the pond and carrying the boy to safety.
Contributing: Ahjané Forbes
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
veryGood! (39354)
Related
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- Plan approved by North Carolina panel to meet prisoner reentry goals
- Hoda Kotb Shares Outlook on Her Dating Life Moving Forward
- All-Star Dearica Hamby sues WNBA, Aces alleging discrimination, retaliation for being pregnant
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- Haason Reddick has requested a trade from the Jets after being a camp holdout, AP source says
- Inflation is easing but Americans still aren't feeling it
- New Massachusetts law bars circuses from using elephants, lions, giraffes and other animals
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- Texas’ overcrowded and understaffed jails send people awaiting trial to other counties and states
Ranking
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- New Massachusetts law bars circuses from using elephants, lions, giraffes and other animals
- Former Cornell student gets 21 months in prison for posting violent threats to Jewish students
- Marine who died trying to save crew in fiery Osprey crash to receive service’s top noncombat medal
- Bodycam footage shows high
- LL Flooring files bankruptcy, will close 94 stores. Here's where they are.
- Black bear mauls 3-year-old girl in tent at Montana campground
- Americans are becoming less religious. None more than this group
Recommendation
How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
Why Post Malone Thinks It Would Suck to Be Taylor Swift or Beyoncé
What is compassion fatigue? Experts say taking care of others can hurt your mental health.
Marine who died trying to save crew in fiery Osprey crash to receive service’s top noncombat medal
Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
Jarren Duran suspended 2 games by Red Sox for shouting homophobic slur at fan who heckled him
PHOTO COLLECTION: AP Top Photos of the Day Monday August 12, 2024
KFC expands $5 value menu to include nuggets, drums and more: See what's on the menu