Ifan Wedros Owen-Jones: Autistic boy, 4, found dead in pond after disappearing while playing in a sandpit
CRYMYCH, PEMBROKESHIRE: An inquest hearing at Haverfordwest County Hall into the death of a four-year-old boy revealed that Ifan Wedros Owen-Jones was playing in a sandpit before he vanished. Later, the autistic boy's body was found in a pond. The tragic incident reportedly happened on August 7.
His family called emergency services in the evening that day after they failed to locate the child. Following a search, he was found unconscious in the pond. Coroner's officer Hayley Rogers said, “It was established that Ifan had been heard playing in a sand pit close to the family home. When Ifan could not be seen, a search of the grounds ensued, and he was found unresponsive in a natural pond.”
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“Despite best efforts to resuscitate him, he was declared deceased at 8.40 pm. Police have launched a full investigation, with ongoing enquiries,” Rogers added. Another hearing will also take place but Coroner Gareth Lewis did not give a specific date.
Meanwhile, Owen-Jones was described as “a beautiful, happy, healthy little boy” by his family. In a statement issued on Friday, August 19, they said: “He had his struggles with some things due to being autistic but he was amazing at other things. He loved the alphabet, counting and colours. He would watch Fireman Sam over and over. He loved climbing on anything he could find. His iPad (diamond) was his safety blanket, it went everywhere with him.”
The statement went on to say, “Everyone who met Ifan fell in love with him, everyone adored him. He was and always will be our special little boy. We are so lost without him, Ifan was our world. We are all truly broken,” before adding, “We as a family are truly overwhelmed with the support, kindness and generosity we have received from our family, friends, local community and even people we don’t even know. We would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
A GoFundMe has been launched for the little one’s funeral. Catrin Cox has started the fundraiser with a message that read, “Hi I’m Catrin and alongside all of our family we are trying to fundraise the help Sian and Wedros give Ifan the funeral he deserves! Most of you already know Ifan but if you don’t here is just a tiny glimpse of him.”
“Ifan was a happy and healthy 4year old boy who was diagnosed with Autism but with help in place he was enjoying life to the full! He loved fire trucks and the colour blue he had 2 older brothers and 1 younger brother that adored him. On the 7th of August their lives changed forever when Ifan was in a tragic accident and lost his life. With Sian and Wedros’ blessing they have let me set this go fund me page to try and give Ifan the best send off we can,” it noted. Later, in an update, the message added: “We would like to thank everyone who has donated so far. We are touched by each one, I know how tough it is for everyone at the moment, so from the bottom of my heart I thank you all. Cariad mawr.”