WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WXIX/Gray News) – Public safety officials in Ohio have recovered the body of a 6-year-old boy who was reported missing on Wednesday.
Leaders from the police and fire departments in West Chester Township announced late Thursday night that Joshua Al-Lateef’s body was found in a lake
“All public safety in Butler County tonight is grieving with the family, and we wish and pray for the family going forward,” West Chester Township Fire Chief Rick Prinz said.
Joshua, who was supposed to turn 7 years old next week, was last seen around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday near his family’s apartment on Wyndtree Drive, police said.
His older brother called 911 to report the child missing, according to a recording of the emergency call.
Hundreds of volunteers checked tree lines, dumpsters and anywhere else the boy may have sought out shelter from the cold weather. First responders had drones in the air and boots on the ground.
Before the boy’s body was discovered, Prinz suggested the possibility that Joshua, who officials said was autistic, had an attraction to water that may have led him to one of the several retention ponds on the apartment complex property where he lived.
“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,” Prinz said.
Lindsay Amyx was among the volunteers who helped. She said as a mother, she felt she needed to help search.
“I have two children, and to know what this mother is going through. I have a 19-year-old and he’s autistic too, so I feel it in my heart, knowing it’s cold outside,” Amyx said. “I just really want to help him and his family.”
Police said earlier on Thursday that they have no reason to suspect any type of foul play is involved, but the investigation is still ongoing.
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