THE search for a missing 5-year-old autistic boy has ended in tragedy after the child was found dead.

Kentucky State Police issued an Immediate Alert Notification (IAN) on Tuesday morning after Silas Chearer wandered away from his home in Cub Run, about an hour-and-a-half south of Louisville.

Authorities said Chearer, who had autism, walked away from his home in his pajamas at around 8 am on Tuesday, according to ABC affiliate WHAS-TV.

A IAN Alert was immediately issued for Chearer after authorities learned the boy could be in danger.

The alerts are issued when children under the age of 18 with autism or mental illnesses go missing and may be in danger.

At around 9 am, minutes after the IAN alert was issued, authorities announced that they had located Chearer.

“Tragically, he was found deceased. KSP grieves with this family and the community,” state police said.