Body of Missing 3-Year-Old Autistic Boy Found In Body Of Water Near Orlando Resort

The body of a 3-year-old boy with autism who went missing from a resort near Disney World in Orlando, Florida, has been found. Rakim Akbari was found in a body of water on Thursday July, 18, 2024, by Orange County sheriff's deputies who had been searching for the toddler.

Authorities believe that the child had wandered away from the resort earlier that morning, according to a post made on X (formerly known as Twitter).

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"It is with heavy hearts that we must share that our deputies have found Rakim Akbari deceased in a body of water at the resort where he was reported missing this morning," the post reads. "Our detectives are still looking into how this tragedy occurred. We are grieving his loss, and our prayers are with his family."

Akbari was first reported missing from the Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas at Lake Buena Vista. The resort is around 12 miles from Disney World and 5 miles from Disney Springs.

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The team searched for the toddler for the entire day before concluding hours later when the child's body was found. Before he was found, authorities issued an “extreme concern for his well-being” due to him being autistic. His family has not yet made a statement.