14-04-2025
Pinellas County toddler found dead in pond after wandering off: deputies
PALM HARBOR, Fla. (WFLA) — A 3-year-old boy was found dead in a pond Sunday evening after wandering away from his family's apartment complex in Pinellas County, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office reported.
According to Chief Deputy David Danzig, at approximately 4:25 p.m., a man called 911 from his home on Lancaster Court to report that he had not seen his son for about an hour.
The man told authorities that he believed the child had left the apartment on foot.
Deputies were able to obtain Ring doorbell video showing the child walking out of the apartment and heading south through the complex.
The sheriff's office deployed helicopters and bloodhounds to search the area and a community alert was also issued to help locate the missing child.
According to Chief Deputy Danzig, the boy's body was found in a pond located close to the apartment.
A sheriff's office dive team recovered the body, and authorities believe the child to have drowned.
According to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, the boy was autistic and nonverbal. His parents, who are hearing impaired, were home at the time and watching television when he wandered off.
'It's a tragic accident. But I wish I had better news tonight to share with you all. Anytime a child loses their life under circumstances like this, it's a terrible night for everybody up here, 'Deputy Danzig said.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the young boys family.
This is an ongoing investigation.
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