Missing Boy with Autism, 7, Found Dead in Canal After Neighbor Used Child’s Phone to Help Find Him

A tragic incident occurred in Cape Coral, Florida, involving a seven-year-old boy with autism who was reported missing and subsequently found dead in a canal on 17 October. The child, identified as Artemis Robinson, had recently moved to the area, having relocated with his family earlier that month.

The Cape Coral Police received notification regarding Artemis’s disappearance at 8:45 p.m. on the evening of Saturday, 17 October. According to local reports, a neighbour, Kayden McIntosh, was working in his garage when he heard a woman calling out in distress, indicating that her nonverbal son had gone missing. This prompted McIntosh and others in the vicinity to act quickly.

Artemis was reportedly in possession of a mobile phone when he went missing, which played a crucial role in the search efforts. McIntosh later explained that he and a friend were able to trace the phone’s last known location, which led them towards the nearby canal. Equipped with kayaks, they entered the water to search for the child.

Their search was soon joined by fire crews, police, and emergency medical service personnel, alongside other concerned residents of the neighbourhood. In a heart-wrenching turn of events, McIntosh discovered Artemis submerged in the water approximately 30 minutes after beginning the search. He described the boy as “unconscious” and having a “pale blue” complexion at the time he was found.

As news of Artemis’s tragic fate spread, the Cape Coral Police confirmed to local media that the child had not survived. The circumstances surrounding how he entered the canal remain unclear, which has left many in the community grappling with unanswered questions.

Following the discovery, Artemis’s family expressed their anguish and confirmed they were awaiting notification from the medical examiner’s office regarding the retrieval of their son’s body. The community’s response has been one of deep sorrow, as residents come to terms with this shocking loss.

In the wake of this incident, McIntosh reflected on the emotional toll of the experience. He expressed that, while he was relieved to have been able to assist in the search, the outcome was profoundly upsetting for all involved. “It was definitely upsetting, especially, you know, again, he and I weren’t looking for any trophies,” he noted.

The local community is now left to navigate the aftermath of this heartbreaking incident, with many offering their support to Artemis’s family during this incredibly difficult time. As investigations continue, there are hopes that clarity will emerge regarding the events leading up to this tragic loss.