A 4-year-old Minnesota boy who vanished on Sunday was found dead in a creek on Monday.

Hopkins police Captain Craig Kreiling said a volunteer searcher discovered Waeys Mohamed’s body in Minnehaha Creek. Kreiling said his body was located about 500 yards downstream from his family’s apartment where he was last seen a day earlier, according to the Star Tribune.

Mohamed was nonverbal and autistic, as CrimeOnline reported. KMSP reported that he was drawn to water and frightened by loud noises.

Police recovered evidence indicating that he left on his own accord, according to Kreiling.

Kreiling also said that various conditions — including foliage and elevated water levels — made it difficult to search the river.

Mohamed’s cause of death is unconfirmed, but police believe he drowned.

Kreiling said on Monday, “While we believe this to be a tragic accident, we will be continuing our investigation in conjunction with the Hennepin County Medical Examiner and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office to determine the exact cause of death.”

This story is developing. 

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[Featured image: Hopkins Police Department]