PORT ST. LUCIE – A 5-year-old boy drowned in a body of water near his home at the 700 block of Southwest Crean Terrace, Port St. Lucie on March 9, according to police reports.
Officers responded to the home at about 8 p.m., for reports that Zam Tuang, a five-year-old autistic child, was missing.
Family members searched the home before calling police and officers confirmed upon their arrival that the child was not in the house, according to police reports.
During the investigation, and as officers canvassed the area, it was learned from video surveillance cameras, it appeared Zam Tuang opened the garage door which showed him leaving the home at approximately 7:15 pm. He then traveled east on foot out of camera view. It was also learned during the investigation, Zam does not know how to swim, according to police reports.
The police department’s K9, drone and road patrol units were deployed to the area where tracking and further ground and air searches continued. At about 9:45 p.m., the boy was found in a body of water at Southwest Juliet and Southwest Hampshire Lane.
Officers initiated CPR until St. Lucie County Fire-Rescue arrived on scene where he was transported to Tradition Medical Center in Port St. Lucie. About 11 p.m., the boy was pronounced dead, according to police reports.
The drowning appears to be accidental and there is no evidence of foul play, according to police reports.