RIVERVIEW, FL — Tragic news coming out of Riverview this afternoon, where a 5-year-old boy with autism was found in a retention pond after being reported missing from his home.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the child’s parents called 911 around 9 a.m. Saturday to report their son missing from their residence in the 7200 block of Grand Elm Drive.
Deputies arrived at 9:11 a.m. and immediately began searching the surrounding neighborhood with assistance from the HCSO K-9 Unit.
At approximately 9:20 a.m., a deputy located the child in a retention pond within the community.
Deputies immediately pulled the boy from the water and began performing CPR until Hillsborough County Fire Rescue arrived. The child was transported to AdventHealth, where he was pronounced deceased.
“Losing a child is a pain no family should ever know,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “I commend our deputies’ quick response and their attempts to save the child’s life.”
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office says the investigation remains active.
SOURCE: HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
