Search Ends in Tragedy: Missing Oregon Boy Found Dead After Alleged Disappearance During Mother’s Nap

Authorities in Coos County reported that the body of 5-year-old Joshua McCoy, a boy with autism, was discovered on Tuesday less than two miles from his home.

By Sheenu Gupta On Nov 13, 2024 Share with new partner:

Authorities announced Tuesday evening that the body of a 5-year-old Oregon boy, who his mother reported had gone missing over the weekend while she was napping, has been discovered. The boy’s disappearance led to a community-wide search that ended in tragedy.

The Coos County Sheriff’s Office announced that the body of 5-year-old Joshua James McCoy was found on Tuesday afternoon, less than two miles from his home in Hauser, a small unincorporated area along Route 101 in Oregon.

Few additional details about the discovery were released at this time. Joshua, who was reported missing after nightfall on Saturday, was known to have autism and was affectionately called Josh or Joshie by family and friends.

According to the sheriff’s office, Joshua’s mother told authorities that both she and her son had fallen asleep on Saturday afternoon. When she awoke at around 5:30 p.m., Joshua was no longer in the home. The sheriff’s office did not publicly identify his mother.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has highlighted that children on the autism spectrum are more likely to wander or “elope” from safe places such as home. Many children with autism are also naturally drawn to potentially hazardous areas, including bodies of water, construction zones, highways, and train tracks, which can increase the risk of harm.

In a statement Tuesday evening, a sheriff’s spokesman, Sgt. Christopher Gill, said that “it is with immense sadness that we have to report that missing Joshua McCoy has been found deceased.”

Gill said that as part of the search, a “pond on the property was drained and nothing of interest was located.”

On Monday evening, the Coos County Sheriff’s Office shared an update on Facebook regarding the search efforts for Joshua. According to the post, search teams had been using a variety of resources, including drones and K-9 units, in hopes of locating the missing child. The sheriff’s office also noted that it had reached out to state and federal agencies for further assistance, expanding the search capabilities and resources available in the effort to find Joshua.

On Tuesday evening, authorities declined to comment on whether any charges might be filed in relation to the case. No further information was provided about possible legal actions, leaving questions about the investigation’s direction unanswered.

“The investigation is still ongoing,” Gill said in an email.