7-Year-Old Boy with Autism Found Dead in Pond Near Home Hours After He Vanished: 'Little Angel'

The boy is believed to have wandered off with his dogs, according to a family member

A 7-year-old boy with autism was found dead in a pond hours after he was reported missing over the weekend.

Jesus J. Castellanos-Carreon was reported missing Sunday around 2:45 p.m. local time after his parents realized he was gone, according to a news release from the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office.

The boy is believed to have wandered off with his dogs around 2 p.m., his cousin Jasmine Frias wrote in the description of a GoFundMe campaign for his family.

The boy’s parents called authorities after “finding signs that Jesus may have gone into a large pond near their residence on Pasadera Road” in Elgin, the sheriff's office said.

Related: Body of Missing 2-Year-Old Boy with Autism Found in Michigan River: 'Pray for the Family'

Police started a search and rescue at the pond after finding Jesus’ shoes in the pond, Frias added.

Crews located the boy’s body in the water just before 8 p.m., about six hours after he was reported missing, according to the BCSO.

The child’s remains were found in 5 feet of water, which was about 56 degrees Fahrenheit at the time, authorities noted.

Related: Missing Boy with Autism Found Using Bracelet with GPS Signal: 'I Couldn't Be More Thankful'

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“If you ever meet him you know how sweet and happy he was,” Frias wrote in the fundraiser’s description. “Always trying to make us smile with his laughs and smiles, his sweet hugs that would warm anyone up.”

Related: Missing 4-Year-Old Boy with Autism Found Dead After He Disappeared While Playing at Boston Park

As of Thursday afternoon, more than $15,000 has been raised via the fundraiser for Jesus’ funeral costs. Frias said she started the campaign to "properly send this little angel to rest.”

“Please keep your thoughts and prayers for the family, thank you,” she added.

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