Lousiana authorities continue their search for a 5-year-old autistic boy who disappeared Thursday at the Jean Lafitte National Park.
Ellis Boudean, 4, disappeared at around 5:30 p.m. walking with his mom and his 3-year-old brother. According to a family member, the trio stopped while Ellis’ mother tried to repair a kite and the child disappeared into the water.
The mother jumped into the water after the child but she wasn’t able to pull him out. One of his shoes was found floating in the water.
Police said the area Ellis vanished from is dense and swampy in a nature preserve.
“We currently have no evidence that the child is on land, and search efforts are now focused on the area waterways. The land in the area the child was last seen has been thoroughly searched by multiple parties,” A JSPO spokesperson said, according to Fox 8.
“While access to the park is not restricted at this time, please remember that the area is a nature preserve. It is swampy, covered in dense vegetation, and teeming with potentially dangerous wildlife, including snakes and alligators.”
On Monday, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto confirmed that authorities think the boy has likely passed away by now.
“At this point in time, it’s a recovery mission,” he said.
The story is developing. Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Ellis Boudean/Police Handout]
