Police authorities in the US have confirmed that a body has been found during the search for a missing six-year-old boy with autism.
The worrying news comes after little Maddox Ritch who has autism went missing whilst he was in public park with his father in Gastonia, North Carolina on Saturday.
In a brief statement released on Thursday, the FBI tweeted tweeted the following: it was “with heavy hearts” on Thursday that a body “believed to be” Maddox had been found.
Maddox who is non-verbal reportedly went missing at approximately 12pm local time whilst he was out with his father Ian and another adult in Rankin Lake Park.
It is believed that the little boy ran off into some woodland after he was spooked by a jogger who was in the area.
Although an investigation is still ongoing police have said Maddox’s parents have been informed about the discovery, but they added no official confirmation will be made until the medical examiner formally identifies the body.
It is understood a widespread search operation involving hundreds of officers and volunteers has been ongoing since Saturday, in the hope of finding little Maddox alive.