PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — New details are emerging after a 5-year-old boy with autism was found dead late Monday night, hours after he wandered away from his home in Port St. Lucie. Police now say the drowning appears accidental.

During a 3 p.m. news conference Tuesday, Police Chief Leo Niemczyk said the 5-year-old boy, Zam Tuang, was found in a nearby retention pond after a widespread search that involved drones, bloodhounds, and every available officer. Officers and fire rescue crews performed CPR for an extended period, but Zam was pronounced dead around 11 p.m.

Child exited through two secured garage doors, police say

Port St. Lucie Police Chief Niemczyk stressed that the incident appears to be a tragic series of human errors — not a criminal act.

The boy was being supervised by his father at the time he disappeared. Police say there were multiple safety measures in place inside the home, but Zam managed to open two garage doors: the interior door leading into the garage and then the exterior garage door leading outside.

A secondary safety lock on the interior door was not latched, and investigators are working to determine whether the family, who faces a language barrier, realized the child was capable of reaching and opening that lock.

“It’s a tragic, serious incident,” Niemczyk said. “Clearly, it wasn’t like there was a door left open unattended.”Family includes two other autistic children

Only Zam and his father were home during the incident, though the family includes two other autistic children. Police say the family is accustomed to the challenges that come with caring for multiple children with autism.

Boy found nine houses away

According to police, Zam was found about nine residential lots up the street from his home near the intersection of SW Juliet and SW Hampshire Lane, according to the news release. Residents jumped into the water to help search, and one neighbor ultimately pulled the child from the pond and alerted police.

A police K-9 had tracked directly to the same pond earlier in the search, according to PSLPD.

“It happened so fast,” Niemczyk said. “They get away real fast.”

45-minute delay in calling 911

Niemczyk reiterated an urgent message to all parents and caretakers: call 911 immediately when a child goes missing.

He said there was about a 45-minute delay before the call to 911 — a span of time that proved critical.

“It’s human nature to look for your child first,” he said. “But you have to train yourself out of that habit. Call us immediately. Don’t be embarrassed. We would much rather find the child hiding under a bed.”

Police working to provide new tracking tools to families

The chief announced the department is expanding partnerships with community groups and technology providers to help prevent future tragedies.

While PSLPD already uses Project Lifesaver — a radio-frequency program for tracking vulnerable individuals — the agency is now evaluating AngelSense, a GPS-based solution that allows caretakers to track a child instantly and receive alerts when the child exits a designated geofenced area.

“If that child steps out that garage door, the parent gets an alert immediately,” Niemczyk said. “You open the app and see exactly where they are.”

The department is also working to better identify families in the community caring for autistic children, as many have not connected with available resources.

Community support and upcoming autism event

Port St. Lucie will host a community autism safety event on April 18 at 9 a.m. at the community center across from Tradition Medical Center. Families will be able to access safety tools, services, and educational resources.

Police will also introduce sensory-friendly outreach events to help autistic children become more comfortable interacting with officers.

Impact on officers

Niemczyk said the tragedy has been difficult for responding officers — many of whom have children of their own.

“A law enforcement career takes its toll,” he said. “You don’t exit the way you entered.”

Peer support and critical incident debriefings are being provided to the team.

Earlier this month, the police department assisted in another search for a young boy with autism, using a police K-9 to successfully find him.