PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A 3-year-old boy was found dead in a pond in the Palm Harbor area after going missing Sunday evening, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.

Chief Deputy David Danzig said during a press conference Sunday night that around 4:25 p.m., a man called 911 and reported that he had not seen his 3-year-old son in about one hour.

Deputies responded to an apartment complex in the 3800 block of Lancaster Court regarding the missing child who had autism and was non-verbal.

Multiple units responded to the scene and launched a search for the missing child. Investigators located Ring camera video of the child, who was captured walking toward a nearby pond.

Danzig confirmed the child’s body was located in a pond about three buildings away from his home.

“At this point, it appears to be a drowning; the medical examiner will do an investigation, but it does appear to be an unfortunate accident,” said Danzig.

He added that the child’s parents were both home with his two siblings at the time he was reported missing. 

“They [the victim’s parents] thought the boys were playing, which was not unusual,” said Danzig. “The last time that they had seen him, they were playing and then they couldn’t locate the younger one, and that’s what prompted the call.”

Danzig said he doesn’t believe criminal charges will be filed because the child’s death appears to be a “tragic accident.”

“It’s unfortunate; it’s a tragic accident, and I wish I had better news to share with y’all,” said Danzig. “Anytime a child loses their life under circumstances like this, it’s a terrible night for everybody up here, and I wish it was a different outcome.”

The investigation remains ongoing.