FBI Reports Body of Missing Six Year Old Boy With Autism has Been Found

Authorities have released a statement, that they found a body in North Carolina believed to be a 6-year-old boy with autism who went missing, said on Twitter, Thursday. The boy’s father said his son, Maddox Ritch, disappeared Saturday as they were walking in Rankin Lake Park, North Carolina.

With heavy hearts we announce a body believed to be 6-year-old Maddox Ritch was found at approximately 1 p.m. off of Marietta Street/Old Dallas Highway in Gastonia. Maddox’s parents have been notified of the discovery. The investigation is ongoing.

— FBI Charlotte (@FBICharlotte) September 27, 2018

The father, Ian Ritch, has stated to authorities that his son ran ahead, chasing down a passing jogger. Maddox was about 25 to 30 feet away when he broke into a sprint. Children with autism are often prone to wandering or bolting away, and Ritch stated that often times, Maddox runs ahead of him but would usually slow down and stop to give him time to catch up.

The FBI and over 300 officers searched the 240-acre park, including a draining part of the lake to better see the shoreline.

This story is developing.