4-year-old boy with autism dies after found in drainage ditch.

4-year-old boy with autism dies after found in drainage ditch.

SUMMIT TOWNSHIP — A 4-year-old boy with autism died Tuesday afternoon, March 23, after he was found in a water-filled drainage ditch in the 4000 block of West Kinney Road, according to Sgt. Dan Thomas of the Hart post of the Michigan State Police.

“On March 23, 2021 at approximately 4:11 p.m., troopers from the Michigan State Police Hart Post responded to a residence on West Kinney Road in Summit Township, Mason County for a missing 4-year-old autistic child,” states an MSP press release. “Troopers, Mason County Sheriff’s Office, and family searched the area and located the child, unresponsive, in a water-filled drainage ditch near the residence. Life saving measures were taken prior to EMS arrival. The child was transported to the hospital by Life EMS and then transported to a Grand Rapids Hospital by AeroMed where he was pronounced deceased.”

The boy wandered away from the residence, said Thomas. Family members were present at the home, he said. He was located approximately 100 yards from where he was reported missing about an hour later.

“This incident remains under investigation by the MSP Hart Post and does not appear to be suspicious in nature at this time,” states the press release.

Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, Life EMS, Mason County Emergency Management and the Ludington Police Department. Riverton Township Fire Department was also dispatched to the scene.

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