‘We are devastated’: Deputies find body of missing 7-year-old Orlando boy

10:30 a.m. update:

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The Orange County Sheriff’s Office announced a tragic end Tuesday morning to the search for a missing 7-year-old boy.

“We are devastated to inform you that our deputies have found Emerson Felix, deceased, in a body of water near his home where he was reported missing,” the agency said.

▶ WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS

OCSO said its detectives are still looking into how this tragedy happened.

“We mourn Emerson’s loss and extend our heartfelt condolences and prayers to his family, his classmates and all who love him,” officials said.

The county’s medical examiner will now work to determine the official cause and manner of the boy’s death.

Orange County Public Schools sent a message home to parents and staff at Catalina Elementary Tuesday after Felix’s death was announced by law enforcement.

<i>Catalina Elementary School families,</i>

<i>This message is on behalf of Principal Anderson. She wanted to make sure you were aware of some very sad news that staff and students are learning</i>

<i>today.</i>

<i>You may have known that yesterday evening, a Catalina student was reported missing by family members. The school was notified this morning by the</i>

<i>Orange County Sheriff's Office that the child has been located and is deceased.</i>

<i>While this is an ongoing investigation by law enforcement and information is limited, I know I speak for the entire school community when I express the grief</i>

<i>we are all feeling at the loss of one of our students. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family as they go through this extremely difficult time.</i>

<i>With the loss of any child, there are always questions but we respect the privacy of the family. There are grief counselors on campus for any student or staff member who needs to speak with someone about this loss. A wide range</i>

<i>of emotions can be felt during the grief process and we encourage you to openly discuss your child's reaction to this news.</i>

<i>Please keep our students and staff in your thoughts at this difficult time.</i>

<i>Thank you for your support.</i>

—  Orange County Public Schools

Stay with WFTV.com and watch Eyewitness News at Noon for a live update on this story.

Original story:

An Orlando boy is missing and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office is hoping you can help.

Emerson Felix, age 7, was last seen around 6:45 p.m. Monday the area of Flintshire Street, investigators said.

That’s near Rio Grande Avenue and 40th Street.

Felix is described as:

• Black hair
• Brown eyes
• 4′5″ tall
• 85 lbs.

He was last seen wearing:

• White T-shirt
• Light blue basketball shorts (black stripe down the side)
• Blue Puma slides

Investigators are obviously concerned for the boy’s well-being due to his young age.

Officials are urging anyone who sees Felix or might know where he is to call 911.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

©2024 Cox Media Group