A 19-month-old toddler reported missing earlier that day, was found dead in a body of water near his home in Chatham County, Georgia, according to official reports.
The child’s caregivers initiated a distress call, which prompted the Chatham County Police Department (CCPD) to launch a full-scale search operation supported by various agencies.
Family members caring for the toddler, named Saylor, reported him missing from their residence on the 1100 block of Bob White Road, a forested area, shortly before midday.
The emergency services were alerted at 11:52 a.m. on Thursday, February 1, 2024, triggering an immediate response.
The CCPD’s Marine Patrol, Criminal Investigations Division, and Forensics Drone Operator were among the units that responded to the call.
The Savannah Police Department, the Statesboro Police Department, and Chaplain Services from the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office also contributed to the search efforts, emphasizing the urgency of finding the child.
Despite the rapid response and deployment of drone operators, divers, and a mounted patrol unit, the search concluded tragically.
At 12:56 p.m., a member of the CCPD’s Criminal Investigations Division found the boy in the water near the home.
Upon the discovery, an officer promptly entered the water to retrieve the child, who was then immediately transferred to a local hospital. The boy was pronounced dead on arrival.
The preliminary investigation by the CCPD indicates that the child may have wandered off, with no current signs of foul play.
In respect of the family’s privacy and their grieving process, the department has declared that no further details will be disclosed about the case.
Chatham County, located approximately 250 miles southeast of Atlanta, Georgia, is a region of diverse urban and natural landscapes, each presenting unique safety challenges. This incident underscores the inherent risks young children might encounter near natural bodies of water and wooded areas.
