Newark, OH – A missing child search in Licking County ended in tragedy Monday afternoon after deputies located a 3-year-old boy in a retention pond in Etna Township.
According to Sheriff Randy Thorp, deputies were called to the 100 block of Gala Avenue at 1:35 p.m. on September 15 after reports of a missing toddler. Multiple deputies, firefighters, EMS crews, and nearby residents quickly began searching the area.
At approximately 3:06 p.m., the child was discovered in a retention pond that had been a central focus of the search. Deputies pulled the child from the water and administered CPR before West Licking medics transported him to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. He was later pronounced dead.
A victim advocate was dispatched to support the family, while arrangements were made for deputies and first responders to meet with a Critical Incident Response Team.
Detectives with the Licking County Sheriff’s Office are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. No further details have been released.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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