WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. — A 3-year-old boy that had been declared missing by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement was found dead in a retention pond Sunday evening, according to the Seminole County Sheriff's Office.
A missing persons alert was sent out just before 5 p.m. Sunday afternoon.
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— FDLE (@fdlepio) November 13, 2022
A Florida Missing Child Alert has been issued for 3-year-old Axel Caballero, last seen in Winter Springs, Florida. If you have any information, please contact the Seminole County Sheriff's Office at 407-665-6650 or 911. pic.twitter.com/rSCtwbB6bJ
The 3-year-old boy was identified as Axel Caballero in the FDLE alert. He was said to be autistic and non-verbal by deputies.
Authorities had set up a search party in a Winter Springs neighborhood, where Axel was last seen, along Ponce De Leon Boulevard.
Neighbors were told to go home shortly after the alert, as authorities brought in drones and search dogs.
In a tweet, the Seminole County Sheriff's Office said Axel was found deceased by their dive team in a nearby retention pond.
***UPDATE*** We are deeply saddened to report 3-year-old Axel was located by SCSO Dive Team members deceased in a nearby retention pond. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
— Seminole County S.O. (@SeminoleSO) November 13, 2022
No other details were immediately available.