Six year old boy from North Carolina, named Maddox Scott Ritch, was last seen Saturday in Rankin Lake Park in Gastonia, North Carolina. Maddox have autism, therefore he is nonverbal. He was last seen with his father and another adult at the park around 1:30 pm. Authorities have been searching for him through the wood with the sounds of his parents' voices to hopefully end this three day search. On Monday, authorities spread the search for Maddox two miles past the park's boundaries. The increasing search for him now included aircraft, and canines, including drones. On Sunday they canceled all activities at the park and closed it until they get further notice. They want to make sure they check every single possible spot for this child, therefore they drained the water from the lake in order to examine the shoreline. Authorities are investigating every single possibility into what led up to Maddox's disappearance. Police said Maddox has blue eyes and blond hair and is also 45 pounds. He was also last seen wearing an orange t shirt with the words written "I am the man", along with closed toed sandals and black shorts.
Any story you hear about a child going missing is heartbreaking, but this one especially because Maddox has autism. He is also nonverbal so there is not much he can do to save himself. I really hope the police can do everything possible to find and save this poor kid.
https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/23/us/nc-missing-child-autism/index.html
If Maddox did “runaway” himself how long would he last with the mental illness he has? It wouldn’t seem like a little boy like him to just leave so is there a possibility he was kidnapped? - Mia Murphy
ReplyDeleteI have a cousin that has severe autism and this is pretty terrifying to think about. I pray they find him safely- Mia mentioned that there was a possibility of kidnapped and I also think there could be a good chance that’s what happened.
ReplyDeleteI do believe there is a good possibility he could have been kidnapped. regardless, it's devastating hearing stories like this. I do hope he safely returns to his family.
ReplyDeleteThe sad truth is that there is a likely possibility that he was kidnapped. Although his mind might have been wandering and he got lost, mentally ill children have a tendency to be taken advantage of and this is probably what happened. - Emma Hancock
ReplyDeleteThis sort of news will always be heartbreaking. I do beleive that the child was kidnapped which is sad because children with any type of disabilities are easily taken advantage of. I hope and pray that he is found and brought back home safely. - Ariana Oliver
ReplyDeleteIt disgusts me that anybody would kidnap someone let alone a person who can be taken advantage of like an individual with autism. This confirms how much the devil is working, but I have faith that God will come out on top and this child will be found.
ReplyDeleteIt disgusts me that anybody would kidnap someone let alone a person who can be taken advantage of like an individual with autism. This confirms how much the devil is working, but I have faith that God will come out on top and this child will be found. - Kadar Price
ReplyDeleteI feel so bad for this child and his family, and the fact that if he was possibly kidnapped he wouldn’t be able to speak out to protect himself. I really hope that his family finds him.
ReplyDeleteMaya Friedmann