Missing 5-year-old boy found dead after running away from home, authorities say

COOS COUNTY, Ore. (Gray News) – A 5-year-old boy in Oregon has been found dead after going missing over the weekend.

According to the Coos County Sheriff’s OfficeThe body of Joshua James McCoy was found Tuesday less than two miles from his home in the Hauser area.

The sheriff’s office said Joshua was autistic and that he would answer to Josh or Joshie if anyone saw him afterward. missing on Saturday.

His mother told officers that she and her son fell asleep that afternoon, but Joshua was gone when she woke up around 5:30 p.m.

In a statement Tuesday evening, the sheriff’s office said it was “with enormous sadness” that Joshua was found dead.

The sheriff’s office thanked the community and other first responders for their help in finding Joshua.

Authorities have not released any further information about the boy’s death but said their investigation is ongoing.

The boy’s mother was not immediately identified.