A 5-year-old Oregon boy with autism disappeared from his home over the weekend and was found dead Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.
The body of Joshua McCoy, just four days shy of his birthday, was discovered at the Coos County Sheriff's Office, about 2.5 miles from Hauser's home, around 12:30 p.m. he said in a tragic update.
According to the missing child poster, law enforcement said the boy and his mother took a nap together early Saturday afternoon, and when the parents woke up around 5:30 p.m., little Joshua was nowhere to be found.
Officers searched the property, deployed drones and police dogs, and even drained a pond on the family's land during a frantic search for the boy.
Other local agencies and state and federal partners were also asked to assist.
“Given the circumstances behind the disappearance, the search area was very thorough and methodical,” the sheriff's office said in a statement. “We had incredible support from the community in providing meals for all of these volunteers.”
According to the missing child poster, Joshua would have turned 6 this Saturday.
It is unclear whether authorities are considering criminal charges in the missing child case.
But the sheriff's office previously said nothing could be ruled out as the investigation continues.
“The investigation is ongoing and no additional information will be released at this time,” the sheriff's office said in a grim update Tuesday.
