The town of Rocky Ford, Colorado, located about 160 miles south of Denver, is mourning the loss of three-year-old Amari Galan, whose body was found in an irrigation canal after he went missing over the weekend. Amari, who had autism, disappeared from his home early on Saturday, May 18, 2024, prompting a widespread search involving multiple law enforcement agencies and community members.
Amari was last seen around 4 a.m., leaving his residence on Washington Street wearing only a diaper. His disappearance triggered an immediate response from local authorities, who deployed drones, search dogs, and personnel on foot to locate the missing child. Despite their best efforts, the search ended in tragedy when Amari’s body was discovered several miles downstream in the Catlin Canal at around 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 19.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) confirmed the discovery in a news release stating, “Law enforcement wishes to share its condolences with the family of Amari Galan.” The Otero County Coroner and Amari’s family later confirmed his identity.
Rocky Ford Mayor Duane L. Gurule expressed his condolences in a Facebook post. “May we come together as a community to offer our support, comfort, and strength to the family of Amari Galan during this heartbreaking time,” he wrote. Gurule also praised the efforts of the law enforcement and search-and-rescue teams, acknowledging their dedication, professionalism, and compassion throughout the search operation.
Authorities believe Amari left his home on foot in the early morning hours. His disappearance was particularly concerning given his young age and his only wearing a diaper. The urgency of the situation was heightened by Amari’s autism, which made him more vulnerable and less likely to respond to searchers.
Throughout Saturday and Sunday, search teams scoured the area around Amari’s home, focusing on the Catlin Canal, which runs directly behind the residence. The canal, a key feature of the local landscape, became the focal point of the search efforts as investigators followed the waterway downstream.
Drones provided aerial support, while search dogs helped canvass the ground. Community volunteers also joined the search, demonstrating the tight-knit nature of Rocky Ford. Despite these extensive efforts, it was the search-and-rescue personnel on foot who eventually found Amari’s body in the canal, bringing a devastating end to the search.
The discovery of Amari’s body has left the Rocky Ford community in shock and grief. Mayor Gurule’s call for unity and support reflects the town’s desire to unite after this tragedy. “Our thoughts are with you,” he added in his statement, highlighting the collective sorrow felt by residents.
As the community mourns, they also remember the dedication of those who worked tirelessly to find Amari. The CBI’s statement recognized the hard work and compassion all involved showed. “Your dedication, professionalism, and compassion in the face of such a tragic situation have not gone unnoticed,” the statement read.