Who was Jermaine Jones? Autistic boy, 2, who was reported missing from his Michigan home found dead in a local river
CLINTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN: A two-year-old autistic boy, who was reported missing from his Michigan home on Monday, October 9, has been found dead in a local river.
According to NBC affiliate WILX-TV, the lifeless body of Jermaine Jones was found by the divers in the Looking Glass River on Tuesday afternoon, Clinton County Sheriff Sean Dush said.
The Clinton County Sheriff's Office confirmed the boy’s death in a post on their Facebook page as well.
“It is with great sadness that we are reporting that the missing child was located deceased. There will be a press conference near the Clinton County Incident Command trailer on Bauer Rd just north of Clark Rd at 5:30pm. At this time further details may be released," the post read.
"Please pray for the family during this tragic time,” they added. Authorities noted that no foul play was involved in the child's death and disappearance.
Jermaine Jones was at his home with a babysitter before he vanished
The search for the toddler began on Monday afternoon, October 9, after he wandered away from his home on South Bauer Road in Watertown Township, according to a previous CCSO news release.
The child was at his home with a babysitter before he disappeared, Dush said, according to CBS affiliate WLNS-TV.
According to the babysitter, the boy vanished while she was in the shower for less than 10 minutes. Multiple people saw Jones, who was nonverbal, walking north on Bauer Road near Avalon and Riverside Drive shortly after he ventured out of his home, the sheriff added.
Over 500 volunteers were searching for Jermaine Jones
According to the outlet, more than 500 volunteers were on hand during Tuesday, October 10, search for the missing toddler.
It included specialized search crews who worked throughout Monday night, October 9, after they were called in to help, the sheriff’s office said.
Michigan State Police and Michigan’s Emergency Management & Homeland Security Department were among the agencies that assisted the CCSO's search for Jones as well.
An autopsy will be performed on the Jermaine Jones' body
An autopsy is expected to be performed on Jones' body, Dush said. "We’re so fortunate in this county that people come together to take care of each other and that’s how it should be," the sheriff added.
In a message on a GoFundMe fundraiser, a family member said they're hoping to raise money for the "incredibly unexpected funeral costs" and described Jermaine as "full of life." As of Wednesday morning, over $10,000 has been raised.
