A Florida mom is in custody after her autistic son, initially believed to be abducted, was found dead in a pond Friday morning.
Patricia Ripley, 47, initially told police her 9-year-old non-verbal son was abducted by two unknown men who asked for drugs and her cellphone prompting authorities to issue an Amber Alert. The next day, the boy’s body was recovered from Miccosukee Golf & Country Club.
After hours of questioning, Ripley admitted being involved in her son’s death. Surveillance video showed her sitting alone in her car for nearly 20 minutes before contacting the police.
She is being held without bond at the Miami-Dade County Jail. A memorial service was held for the boy outside the center for children with special needs that he used to attend.
