A five-year-old boy was found dead on July 27 in a pond, according to authorities.
The boy, Jaylen Saintelien, had been reported missing around 3:15 p.m. the day before.
Collier County Sheriff’s deputies say the family had just moved into a residence on Magnolia Pond Circle in Golden Gate and were unpacking when they noticed Jaylen was missing.
After a quick search of the home and the surrounding area, the family called 911. The family told authorities that Jaylen was autistic and nonverbal.
The sheriff’s department began an extensive search on the ground and in the air, along with Greater Naples Fire Rescue District and Collier County EMS.
Patrol deputies, aviation searchers, K-9 units, drones, a mounted patrol, a dive team, a marine patrol and detectives were involved in the search.
Deputies found Jaylen’s body Sunday morning in a pond near the family’s home.
A death investigation continues but the CCSO believes he died by drowning.
“We are heartbroken for Jaylen’s family and we extend our gratitude to our fellow first responders and the many members of the community who assisted in the search,” the CCSO said in a Facebook post.
It is the second water-related death in recent days in Collier.
The evening of July 25, an 85-year-old man was reported as a missing swimmer at Lowdermilk Park in Naples around 7:30 p.m.
About 10 minutes later, his body was recovered floating in the water a short distance away in the 1600 block of Gulf Shore Blvd., according to Naples Police.
Florida has one of the highest drowning rates in the U.S. and it leads the nation in childhood drownings aged 1 to 4, according to the state Department of Health.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Boy found dead in Golden Gate pond; second water death in Collier this weekend
Reporting by Liz Freeman, Naples Daily News / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
