UPDATE: August 7, 2026, at 1:13 p.m.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is heartbroken to announce that a 5-year-old boy reported missing this morning from the area of Cypress Mulch Circle and Northgreen Avenue has been found deceased. The child was located in a nearby pond.
Through investigative efforts, detectives learned the child was last seen by one of his parents around 5 a.m. inside the family's home.
One of the parents woke up around 9 a.m. and discovered a hole in the back screen. After searching the home and surrounding area and being unable to locate the child, the parent called 911 at 9:31 a.m. to report him missing.
Deputies and detectives responded immediately, and the search quickly grew to include more than 140 units, along with the HCSO Drone Team, Aviation Unit, K-9 Unit, and Dive Team. Shortly after 11 a.m., the child was found deceased in a nearby pond.
"There are no words that can ease the pain of losing a child. Today, our entire Sheriff's Office family grieves alongside this family. Every deputy and detective who responded did so with the goal to bring this little boy home safely," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "I am incredibly proud of how quickly our agency responded, but my heart breaks that the outcome wasn't what we all prayed for."
The investigation remains active and ongoing. Any update will come from the Public Affairs Office.
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UPDATE: August 7, 2026, at 12:24 p.m.
Sheriff Chad Chronister will provide an update on the missing 5-year-old boy at 12:45 p.m.
Media responding to the scene should stage at 3831 Northgreen Avenue in Tampa.
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ORIGINAL: August 7, 2026, at 10:52 a.m.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in locating a missing 5-year-old autistic child who was last seen on Friday morning.
Deputies are searching for the child, who was last seen at approximately 5:00 a.m. in the area of Cypress Mulch Circle and Northgreen Avenue. The child is non-verbal, does not respond to his name, and is believed to have wandered away from his residence.
He is described as:
- 5-year-old white male
- Approximately 3 feet 11 inches tall
- Brown hair
- Last seen wearing a beige Spider-Man shirt, a diaper, and no pants
The child may also have a broken electronic device with him.
HCSO Aviation, K9, and patrol deputies are actively searching the area.
Anyone who sees the child or has information about his whereabouts is urged to call 911 immediately or contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line at (813) 247-8200.
This is an active and ongoing search. The Public Affairs Office will provide any updates
