Boy, 3, drowns in Licking County pond
ETNA, Ohio (WCMH) – A 3-year-old child reported missing in Licking County has died.
The Licking County Sheriff’s Office said the child was reported missing at approximately 1:35 p.m. in the area of the 100 block of Gala Avenue in Etna Township.
Deputies, fire and EMS personnel, and neighbors helped search for the boy, who was autistic and non-verbal, the sheriff's office said.
At 3:06 p.m., the child was located in a retention pond, which was the focus of the search for the boy. Deputies pulled the boy from the pond and started CPR.
The child was taken from the scene to Nationwide Children's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
A victim advocate is aiding the family.
Arrangements are being made for first responders to meet with a Critical Incident Response Team.
Licking County sheriff's detectives are investigating the incident.