Celina police said during a press conference that the boy’s body was recovered from a pond.
CELINA, Texas — A North Texas community is mourning after an 8-year-old boy who disappeared Friday morning was found dead near his neighborhood following an extensive search involving multiple agencies.
According to Celina Police Department, officers began searching for MJ Ashmead after he was reported missing from the Sutton Fields neighborhood around 9:30 a.m. Friday.
Police previously said MJ had developmental disabilities and was believed to be on foot when he disappeared. Authorities issued a public call for help and deployed a large-scale search effort that included local, state and federal partners. Search crews, drones, K-9 teams and volunteers spent hours combing through the area, including several ponds near the neighborhood.
“It was heartbreaking,” said Sutton Fields resident Siva Uppala.
Uppala watched as emergency crews searched near his home throughout the day.
“This is very unfortunate,” he said. “Yeah, this is a parent’s worst nightmare.”
At a news conference Friday afternoon, John Thacker with Celina Police confirmed the outcome many had feared.
“Just after 12 noon today, the Celina Police Department notified family members that the missing boy’s body had been located near the subdivision,” Thacker said.
Officials have not released details about exactly where the child was found.
“A tragic loss like this cut to the core of who we are,” Thacker said. Police said investigators have found no indication that foul play was involved.
Authorities described the incident as a tragic accident and said the investigation remains ongoing. Police have not released additional information about the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.
For many parents in the fast-growing community, the tragedy has struck a deeply personal chord.
“I have a little kid and that was really heartbreaking,” Uppala said.
He said the search and its outcome have prompted conversations among neighbors about safety, particularly around ponds and water features located throughout the area.
“When I heard the news, I was like, is it really safe to be around these ponds?” he said.
What began Friday as a desperate search for a missing child ended with a community grieving alongside a family facing an unimaginable loss.
Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding MJ’s death.
Watch the Celina Police’s full press conference below
This is a developing story check back for updates.