GREATER NORTHDALE, FL — On Friday, August 7, 2026, a 5-year-old boy who was reported missing from the area of Cypress Mulch Circle and Northgreen Avenue was found deceased in a nearby pond, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister discussed during a press conference Friday.
Investigators said the child was last seen by one of his parents around 5 a.m. inside the family’s home near Cypress Mulch Circle and Northgreen Avenue.
According to the Sheriff’s, at approximately 9 a.m., one of the parents woke up and discovered a hole in the home’s back screen. After searching the home and nearby area without finding the child, the parent contacted 911 at 9:31 a.m. to report him missing. A large-scale search was launched involving more than 140 Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office units, including deputies and detectives, along with the agency’s Drone Team, Aviation Unit, K-9 Unit and Dive Team.
Shortly after 11 a.m., search crews located the 5-year-old deceased in a nearby pond.
“There are no words that can ease the pain of losing a child,” Chronister said. “Today, our entire Sheriff’s Office family grieves alongside this family.” Chronister said every deputy and detective involved in the search responded with the goal of bringing the child home safely, but the outcome was not what they had hoped for.
The circumstances surrounding the child’s death remain under investigation. Additional information is expected to be released as the investigation continues.
SOURCE: HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
