Cape Coral, Florida — A 7-year-old boy with autism who went missing from his neighborhood in Cape Coral was found dead in a canal after neighbors and emergency responders joined the search, according to local media reports and police.
The child, identified as Artemis Robinson, was reported missing on Saturday evening, October 17. Cape Coral Police received a call about the missing boy at approximately 8:45 p.m. local time, according to the television station.
A neighbor who heard the boy’s mother calling for help joined the search and later helped locate the child underwater. Authorities have confirmed that the boy did not survive.
Neighbor Joins Search for Missing Florida Boy
Kayden McIntosh told a local news outlet that he was in his garage that evening when he heard a woman screaming that her autistic, nonverbal son had run away from home.
According to McIntosh, the family had recently moved into the neighborhood earlier that month.
McIntosh said the child had a phone with him, which helped direct the search toward the phone’s last known location. He and a friend went to the area and began looking for the missing boy, the report said.
As the search continued, the two men used kayaks to look through the water.
The situation quickly drew a wider response, with fire crews, police officers, Lee County EMS personnel and nearby residents joining the effort to locate the child.
Boy Found Underwater in Canal
McIntosh told that he found the boy tangled underwater approximately 30 minutes after beginning his search. He described the child as “unconscious” and “pale blue” when he was discovered.
The discovery brought a tragic end to the search, which had involved both emergency personnel and members of the local community.
A spokesperson for the Cape Coral Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE on Monday, October 26, that the “child did not survive.”
Authorities have not publicly explained how the boy entered the canal or the circumstances that led to his disappearance.
Family Awaits Further Information
The boy’s family was waiting for the medical examiner’s office to inform them when they could retrieve his body. The family’s loss has come as neighbors who participated in the search have described the distressing experience of trying to find the child.
McIntosh told the outlet that he and his friend were not seeking recognition for their efforts.
“It was definitely upsetting, especially, you know, again, he and I weren’t looking for any trophies,” McIntosh said.
His remarks reflected the difficult circumstances faced by those who joined the search, as residents and first responders worked together in an attempt to locate the missing boy.
How Did the Child Enter the Canal?
One of the key unanswered questions is how the boy ended up in the water.
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As of the reports cited, authorities had not publicly clarified how he entered the canal or provided further details about the events before the search began.
The available information also does not establish the full sequence of events leading to his discovery.
The investigation and any further medical examiner findings may help clarify the circumstances surrounding the child’s death. Until officials release additional information, the details of how he entered the canal remain unknown.
The incident is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly a missing-child emergency can unfold and how important it is for neighbors and emergency services to respond when a child disappears.
What are your thoughts on the way neighbors and first responders came together to search for the missing boy? Share your condolences and thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
