A toddler, only 19 months old, who had been reported missing earlier in the day, was tragically found dead in a nearby water body in Chatham County, Georgia, according to official reports.
The Chatham County Police Department (CCPD) initiated a thorough search operation, receiving assistance from a number of agencies following a distress call from the child’s caregivers.
The search started shortly before noon after the caregivers of the toddler, named Saylor, reported him missing from their home situated on the 1100 block of Bob White Road, surrounded by a forested area. The emergency services were alerted at 11:52 a.m. on Thursday, February 1, 2024, triggering an immediate response.
The CCPD’s Marine Patrol, Criminal Investigations Division, and Forensics Drone Operator were part of the swift response team. Further aid was extended by the Savannah Police Department, the Statesboro Police Department, and Chaplain Services from the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, signifying the critical nature of the search for the young toddler.
Despite the speedy deployment of drone operators, divers, and a mounted patrol unit, the search concluded tragically.
At 12:56 p.m., an officer from the Chatham County Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division found the child in the water close to the home. An officer promptly entered the water to recover the boy, who was then rushed to a local hospital. The boy was declared dead upon arrival.
Early investigations by the Chatham County Police Department suggest the child may have wandered off, and currently, there are no signs of foul play.
The department has announced that with respect to the family’s privacy and mourning process, no additional information regarding this case will be released.
Chatham County, located about 250 miles southeast of Atlanta, Georgia, encompasses both urban and natural landscapes, each presenting unique safety challenges. This incident highlights the potential dangers young children may face near natural water bodies and forested areas.
