DELTONA, Fla. — The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office discovered the body of a missing 7-year-old autistic boy Tuesday morning in a body of water after he went missing in Deltona Monday evening.

Charlie Newton was reported missing around 8 p.m. after officials said he bolted from the family’s car on Stillwater Avenue.

Officials said he was autistic and nonverbal. 

According to Sheriff Mike Chitwood, over 140 law enforcement officers responded to the scene to search for Charlie.

After a neighbor reported seeing a body in Lake Lapanocia, deputies found Charlie in the water and recovered his body.

“That’s the thing. These things happen so quick, even the mother told how quickly — even in the 911 call — how quickly he bolted from the car," Chitwood said. "She was unable to catch up with him. Again, I don’t know what to say to the family. I don’t know what to say to families out there. But today we have got to stop this."

Neighbors and community members were emotional all morning waiting for the news.

During the search efforts, officials made it a point to say Charlie like climbing trees and that he was attracted to Christmas lights and bodies of water.

Two Orange City women, who also have autistic loved ones, said the unfortunate reality is that when children with autism elope — a term used for running off — they tend to stray close to water.