A missing autistic boy who was days shy of turning seven was found dead in an Ohio lake late Thursday.
The search for Joshua Al-Lateef involved hundreds of volunteers, officers, drones, and boots since the boy went missing from his home Wednesday afternoon.
Crews searched several retention ponds within the apartment complex property before locating Joshua in the lake.
“They lay out the lake into a grid pattern and they search each grid very methodically, so there are teams physically in the water and on the water with boats,” West Chester Township Fire Chief Rick Prinz said before the grim discovery.
Authorities announced that Joshua’s body was found late Thursday night. Foul play is not involved in the death.
“All public safety in Butler County tonight is grieving with the family, and we wish and pray for the family going forward,” Prinz said.
