Missing California boy with autism found dead in pool at park, police say

Authorities in California have found the body of a missing boy who had autism, police said Sunday.

According to KNBC-TV, crews discovered Zavire Dion Portis, 9, dead in an Inglewood swimming pool Sunday night, just hours after the nonverbal boy was reported missing at Vincent Park.

Zavire and his two siblings, who have special needs, were in the car with their mother about 3:55 p.m. when she parked and walked to a nearby water fountain, Inglewood police told KTLA. Zavire was gone by the time she got back to the vehicle, she told authorities.

Authorities searched the park with help from a search dog and helicopter, the news station reported. They eventually found his body just before 10 p.m. after receiving a report of a possible drowning in a park swimming pool, KNBC reported.

Police believe Zavire's death was accidental but are continuing to investigate, KTLA reported.

Read more here or here.

About the Author