BELLE GLADE, Fla. — The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office on Monday night found a 5-year-old non-verbal boy on the autism spectrum dead in one of the canals near Pioneer Park in Belle Glade.
A family member identified the boy to WPTV as Siyoga Murphy Jr., who loved the water and disappeared about 6 p.m. Monday near his home.
Sheriff's office spokeswoman Teri Barbera told WPTV reporter Joel Lopez the body was found underwater using sonar technology.
The family lives near several bodies of water.
Murphy is one of the middle children of five siblings, the relative said.
Sheriff's office cruisers were observed near Pioneer Park, which has several canals and lakes.
One year ago in January, Aleenah Fenelu, a 6-year-old girl on the autism spectrum, was found dead in a body of water behind her home near West Palm Beach.
The girl, who was non-verbal, left the home as her mother went to get her daughter's pajamas during bath time. Two hours later, the girl was found after a search that included the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.
Spectrum 360, has launched an online fundraiser to support the family. Spectrum 360 is a philanthropic organization dedicated to providing financial support for projects that enhance the well-being of neurodivergent/autistic children and their families.