Body of missing Hudson 2-year-old found in water
HUDSON (FOX 13) - A death investigation was underway after the body of a 2-year-old boy, who went missing from his Hudson home Wednesday evening, was found in a nearby pond, the Pasco County Sheriff's Office said.
It was believed 2-year-old Clayton Foskey wandered away from his home in the Verandas on Chenwood Avenue. He was last seen at home around 7:20 p.m.
A full-scale search was launched shortly after 8 p.m., including units in the air and K9 officers on the ground. Deputies and community members also searched nearby the home.
Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco gave an update to media around 12:30 a.m. Thursday, saying Clayton was found by a K9 unit walking near the pond around 10:45 p.m. Wednesday.
Nocco explained the K9 found footprints near a pond. A dive team member went out and found his body floating in about four feet of water. He said it was clear Clayton had been dead for some time.
"It is devastating, even for those first responders that were the ones that retrieved him," said the sheriff. "It’s very, very sad."
The sheriff said Clayton's mom, Roxanne called 911 to report him missing at 7:20 p.m. Shortly after the search began, a neighbor provided home surveillance footage, which appeared to show Clayton walking down the street at 7:04 p.m.
Sheriff Nocco said multiple agencies helped with the search and would refocus their efforts to the death investigation.
"We want to find out why this child was out there, how long he was out there, how he was able to get out of the house," Nocco continued." As parents, this could have been any of our children. If somebody goes missing, your stomach sinks."
Nocco said there were records of law enforcement having contact with the family at their home in the past, but would not give details of those encounters. He added, the family had been "in and out of Pasco since 2008."
Nocco said there were also a 7- and 9-year-old in the home, but was unable to say if the children were staying with family or at the home while the investigation continued.
Anyone who may have information about what happened to Clayton between his home and the water where he was found is asked to call the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.