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Missing Florida boy’s body recovered by dive team, police say

Waylon Childs, 4 (Florida Department of Law Enforcement)

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. – The search for a missing Florida boy has come to an end, after police say his body was found at an Ormond Beach park.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued a statewide alert on Sunday, asking the public to help find the four-year-old boy who vanished.

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Deputies and police officers with the Ormond Beach Police Department and Volusia County Sheriff’s Office were searching for Waylon Childs, who was last seen at about 11:45 a.m., at Central Park, at 601 Fleming Ave., which has interconnected lakes, trails, boardwalks, and a fishing pier.

He was found by dive teams around 9 p.m. on Sunday.

According to police, Waylon was autistic and nonverbal.

“This is a heartbreaking tragedy, and our hearts are with Waylon’s family during this unimaginable loss,” said Chief Jesse Godfrey. “We would like to thank the community, and all the agencies involved for their support and efforts during this search. The Ormond Beach Police Department remains committed to standing with the family and our community in the days ahead.”


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Veronica Crespo headshot

Veronica Crespo writes for Local10.com and also oversees the Español section of the website. Born and raised in Miami, she graduated from the University of Miami, where she studied broadcast journalism and Spanish.

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The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.

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