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The tragic last minutes of disabled boy, 6, who fell and drowned in river after father was assaulted

Young Leon, who had learning difficulties, wandered around confused after his father, 37, was attacked by an unknown assailant
UPDATED AUG 31, 2022
(Representational Image by Mohd Hafiez Mohd Razali / Getty Images)
(Representational Image by Mohd Hafiez Mohd Razali / Getty Images)

TIROL, AUSTRIA: A six-year-old boy from Austria has tragically drowned in a river after his father was reportedly struck on the back of the head with a bottle by a suspected robber. Young Leon, who had learning difficulties, wandered around confused after his father, 37, was attacked by an unknown assailant in Tirol, Austria, at around 4 am on August 29, while pushing his kid in a stroller.

According to the authorities, Leon, who had the uncommon genetic disorder SYNGAP1, fell into the neighboring Kitzbuheler Ache river and drowned, as the father collapsed to the ground unconscious. Around 5.20 am when the father finally awakened, a passerby found him. Police claimed that he was unable to recall what had happened but asked about his son instead because his special needs stroller was nowhere to be found. 

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Due to the serious concerns and the fact that Leon couldn't speak due to his condition, numerous people joined the search for the child. Around an hour later, the grave concerns came true when the young boy’s lifeless body was discovered 600 meters downstream from where authorities suspected he fell in. Later that day, an autopsy was performed to determine Leon's cause of death. Leon allegedly managed to climb out of the stroller before accidentally falling into the river, according to the police.



 

According to The Sun, police said, "The child may have gotten out of the stroller by himself and accidentally fell into the Kitzbühler Ache, where he was found dead." Police have not yet spoken to the father, according to reports, and he is still recovering from the incident in a hospital and is being given psychological assistance. Detectives are still looking into the incident, and they're not sure why the father's wallet and cell phone were discovered there, which they earlier suspected to be stolen by the attackers. 

It had been unclear why Leon and his father were out at such an odd hour, but local media have claimed that it was probably because the boy's ailment kept him from sleeping. Meanwhile, people are affected by SYNGAP1 in various ways and to various degrees of severity. According to the Syngap Research Fund, it affects one in every 16,000 people, which is very prevalent. It accounts for about one percent of learning problems with no clear explanation, according to estimates. Autism, poor muscular tone, dyspraxia coordination condition, and various degrees of intellectual disability are examples of symptoms. Even epileptic episodes may occur in some people.

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