Tragedy struck at a resort near Walt Disney World in central Florida when a three-year-old boy, reported missing early Thursday morning, was discovered dead in a body of water on the resort's premises later that afternoon, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Initially thought to have wandered off from the resort earlier in the day, the boy's body was found by deputies in the resort's water later in the afternoon, as shared by the sheriff's office on social media.
Further details were not immediately disclosed. The child, identified in a "missing child" alert as having autism, was wearing pajama bottoms at the time.
"Our detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident," the sheriff's office stated. "We deeply mourn the loss and extend our heartfelt condolences to the family during this difficult time."