A 6-Year-Old Boy Was Found D3:ad After Hours of Being Missing… But the Unexpected Move Police Made Toward His Father Moments Later Is Now Drawing Widespread Attention
Authorities in Georgia have reportedly arrested a man on unrelated charges after his son was found dead in a pond over the weekend.
The child, 6-year-old John Ross III, was reported missing in Atlanta on the evening of Saturday, Aug. 8, the Clayton County Police Department announced Sunday morning.
Later that day, his body was found in a pond at a location near where he disappeared, police announced in an update on Sunday evening.
Police said John was visiting the apartment with his family when he disappeared and eventually died, FOX 5 and 11 Alive reported. His body was found by search teams during the police department’s extensive effort to bring the child home safely.
John was a non-verbal child with development challenges, police said in their initial statement.
“I wish it was a different outcome. I wish that while we were out here, he would come up from an apartment complex and say ‘I’m here,’” Clayton County Police Special Operations Division Capt. Nicholas Gailey said, per the outlets.
The child is being remembered fondly by neighbors.
“Beautiful smile, that’s what I will remember the most — his smile,” Donna Vaughn told FOX 5, adding that she stayed up Saturday night praying for his safe return. “I closed my eyes to try and go to sleep last night, and I just saw his face when I closed my eyes.”
Police have not yet announced a cause or manner of death and are investigating the circumstances to determine whether foul play was involved.
The boy’s father was arrested on charges unrelated to his death, police confirmed to PEOPLE, declining to specify the exact charges.
“The Clayton County Police Department extends its deepest condolences to the Ross family and asks the community to keep them in their thoughts and prayers while respecting their privacy during this unimaginable time,” authorities said on Sunday evening. “We are grateful to everyone who assisted in the search and worked tirelessly in an effort to bring John home.”
SOURCE: PEOPLE
https://people.com/missing-non-verbal-6-year-old-found-dead-in-pond-father-arrested-unrelated-charges-12037788
