A nine-year-old autistic boy was found dead in the waters near a Brooklyn IKEA store after going missing from his parents while shopping.
The boy, who was non-verbal, had been shopping with his parents at the IKEA Red Hook store in Brooklyn, New York, when he wandered off and was reported missing shortly before 10 pm on Wednesday, August 16.
Law enforcement officials quickly initiated a search operation, utilizing drones, K9 units, and boats in their efforts to find the child.
Surveillance footage from the IKEA store captured the boy leaving from the back of the store and heading in the direction of the nearby boardwalk and pier by the Erie Basin. The search for the boy intensified when investigators discovered his Crocs floating in the Red Hook channel.
Around 12:15 am on Thursday, August 17, divers found the child’s body in the water near 1 Beard Street. He was transported to Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The boy is believed to have drowned, and no foul play is currently suspected.
Witnesses at the scene shared their sadness over the incident. One person at the scene commented on the emotional impact, mentioning that they have children and grandchildren of their own. A worker in the area recalled the urgent efforts to locate the boy, noting the presence of firefighters and police officers who requested camera footage from local businesses during the search.
