4-Year-Old Boy With Autism Found Dead After Eloping From Home: 'Heartbreaking Loss'

[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]

Such devastating news out of Kentucky.

A 4-year-old boy with autism who disappeared from his Louisville neighborhood over the weekend was tragically found dead just hours later after an intense community-wide search effort.

And now, the heartbreaking case has left neighbors, first responders, and grieving loved ones searching for answers after little Aazam Dahir was discovered deceased in a nearby swimming pool late Saturday night.

According to local authorities via multiple Louisville news outlets, the child was last seen around 8 p.m. local time on Saturday evening near Richiewayne Drive in Louisville. Police reportedly arrived within minutes after receiving an emergency call that he’d gone missing, and immediately began a massive search operation in the area. Because Aazam was autistic and nonverbal, officials issued a Golden Alert as concern quickly escalated throughout the neighborhood.

And this wasn’t some small search effort, either. Nearly 100 neighbors joined in trying to locate the little boy, per People and others. Police units, K9 teams, drones, helicopters, and volunteers all reportedly combed through the neighborhood hoping to bring him home safely.

Sadly, just before midnight, officers located Aazam in a nearby pool. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Louisville Metro Police Department acknowledged the unimaginable tragedy in a statement released to WHAS News and others:

“This is a heartbreaking loss. There are no words that can ease the pain of losing a child.”

Absolutely gut-wrenching.

One longtime neighbor, Mark Domeck, described to local Louisville-area NBC affiliate WAVE and Fox affiliate WDRB how quickly community members sprang into action once word spread that the child was missing. He said:

“I immediately went and scoured my backyard, looked everywhere I could, and then we started looking through some of the other backyards.”

Neighbors reportedly told local outlets that Aazam had wandered away from home several times before, as well.

BTW, experts say wandering behavior — also known as elopement — is unfortunately common among children with autism. Organizations focused on autism awareness also say that some children may leave safe environments because they’re attempting to escape overwhelming sensory situations or because they’re drawn toward something that captures their attention. Unfortunately, it’s a terrifying reality many families face every single day.

At this time, authorities say the investigation into Aazam’s death remains ongoing.

Such a painful and heartbreaking loss. Sending love to everyone affected by this unimaginable tragedy…

To learn more about autism and people’s lived experiences, check out The Autistic Self Advocacy Network.

[Image via Louisville Metro Police Department]