A tragic end to the search for a missing 19-month-old boy was confirmed by authorities in Chatham County, Georgia. The toddler, reported missing earlier in the day, was discovered deceased in a body of water near his residence.
The extensive search operation was conducted by the Chatham County Police Department (CCPD), with several other agencies also providing support. The operation was initiated following a distress call from the caregivers of the child.
The search was initiated shortly before noon, after family members reported the toddler, named Saylor, was missing from their residence located on the 1100 block of Bob White Road, in a forested area.
The police were alerted at 11:52 a.m. on Thursday, February 1, 2024. The emergency services sprang into action immediately after receiving the call.
The responding team consisted of the CCPD’s Marine Patrol, Criminal Investigations Division, and Forensics Drone Operator. Additional support was provided by the Savannah Police Department, the Statesboro Police Department, and the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office’s Chaplain Services, underlining the urgency of the search for the young child.
Despite the swift deployment of drone operators, divers, and a mounted patrol unit, the search concluded with a devastating discovery.
An officer from the Chatham County Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division discovered the toddler in the water near the residence at 12:56 p.m. The officer immediately retrieved the boy from the water and he was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Initial investigations by the Chatham County Police Department suggest that the child may have wandered off. As of now, there are no signs of foul play.
In respect to the grieving family’s privacy, the department has stated that no further information will be released about this case.
Chatham County, located approximately 250 miles southeast of Atlanta, Georgia, includes both urban and natural landscapes. This unfortunate incident highlights the potential dangers that natural water bodies and wooded areas pose to young children.