The death of 6-year-old Joshua Al-Lateef Jr. was found in a pond close to the Lakefront apartment complex where he resided, and the town of West Chester is in mourning. Joshua was nonverbal and on the autism spectrum. He was reported missing on Wednesday night and was located the next night following a massive search.
Earlier Thursday, divers searched five of the property’s eight lakes, but they found nothing, according to Cincinnati.com. The search was more arduous because of the murky, muddy bottoms. “This was not the outcome any of us wanted, but the work of the volunteers was not in vain,” stated Barb Wilson, the spokesperson for West Chester Township.
“Tonight we grieve with them,” West Chester Police Chief Brian Rebholz said at a press conference in response to the devastating discovery, according to FOX19. Emphasizing the community’s attitude of cooperation in reaction to the boy’s disappearance, he also thanked the more than 300 volunteers and the many organizations, including Texas Equusearch, that helped with the search.
“When you’re at home and you’re reading it on Facebook, you got sympathy, but until you’re really out here it doesn’t hit you hard,” said volunteer and mother Deshanae Lewis, who was quoted by WLWT as describing the emotional impact on the neighborhood. You might experience some emotions while you’re out here, and if you’re a parent, it will be more poignant.
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