Missing Deltona boy found dead in waterway
- Charlie Newton, a 7-year-old boy with autism, wandered away from his home in Deltona on Monday evening.
- After an extensive search by local authorities, his body was discovered in a nearby waterway early Tuesday.
- The case has raised concerns about his home environment and prompted involvement from child protective services.
In Deltona, Florida, a tragic incident unfolded when 7-year-old Charlie Newton, who had autism, wandered away from home on the evening of November 25, 2024. Following reports of his disappearance, law enforcement agencies including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued a missing child alert and initiated a comprehensive search operation that enlisted ground and aerial resources, including K-9 units. Sadly, after hours of search efforts, the authorities reported the recovery of Charlie’s body from a nearby waterway in the early hours of the following day. This distressing news deeply affected the local community, prompting an outpouring of condolences from residents and officials alike. The circumstances surrounding Charlie's home environment were concerning, as deputies found it to be infested with roaches and having minimal food available for the children. Further inspection revealed a refrigerator that was chained shut and a biometric lock on the bathroom, restricting access solely to adults in the household. This raised alarms about the living conditions and prompted the Volusia Sheriff’s Office to contact the Florida Department of Children and Families for an investigation into the home situation. Experts note that children with autism often have an attraction to water, which presents additional dangers given their unique challenges with communication and sensory processing. Due to this heightened risk for children with developmental disorders, various counties across Florida are actively working on initiatives to enhance safety and raise awareness about these potential hazards. This unfortunate event underscores the vital need for community engagement to protect vulnerable children, especially those with autism. The local school community also felt the impact of Charlie's death. Spirit Elementary, where he was a student, expressed deep sorrow through spokesperson Sarah Lux, highlighting the tragedy of losing a child. The school pledged to provide mental health support for students, parents, and staff upon returning to school, acknowledging the profound grief the community faces in the wake of this loss.