US police chief ‘heartbroken’ after boy’s body found

GASTONIA: The chief of a North Carolina police department said he was “heartbroken” over the discovery of a body believed to be that of a missing autistic six-year-old boy.

Gastonia Police Chief Robert Helton fought back tears during a news conference on Thursday, in which it was announced that officials believed the body searchers found was that of Maddox Ritch.

“Our community’s heartbroken. This is not the end we hoped for,” Helton said.

Gastonia Fire Chief Phil Welch said the body was found in a creek, slightly more than 1.6km east of Rankin Lake Park, by a searcher.

He said the area had been searched previously by drones, all-terrain vehicles and foot patrols.

FBI agent Jason Kaplan, also fighting tears, said it was too early to say if foul play was involved.

Last Saturday, the boy’s father Ian Ritch said Maddox ran off from him and a friend at the park and vanished before he could catch up.

Ritch said he is a diabetic and because he has neuropathy in his feet, he has trouble running.

Ritch and his friend searched for his son, but could not find him. Park personnel also joined in the search.

Ritch called 911 an hour later, saying he delayed the call as he thought he would find his son and there was no reason to call police. — AP