Missing 8-Year-Old Boy Found Dead in a Pond Hours After He Disappeared from His Texas Home
The investigation into MJ Ashmead’s death remains ongoing
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/MJ-Ashmead-053026-a31685f1faaa4fb28220db613c4f1f83.jpg "Missing 8-year-old boy found Dead in Texas pond MJ Ashmead")
Credit: Celina Police Department
NEED TO KNOW
- An 8-year-old boy was found dead in a Texas pond on May 29
- MJ Ashmead’s family reported him missing earlier that same day
- The investigation into the child’s death remains ongoing
An 8-year-old boy was found dead in a pond hours after he went missing from his home in Texas.
MJ Ashmead’s family reported him missing from their Sutton Fields neighborhood just before 9:30 a.m. local time on Friday, May 29, according to the Celina Police Department (CPD). He was last seen carrying a tablet.
Following an “intense search to locate the missing child,” conducted by the CPD and the Celina Fire Department (CFD), authorities notified Ashmead’s loved ones that his body had been located in a nearby pond.
Credit: Celina Police Department
“Supporting the search efforts were the Texas Department of Public Safety air support, Collin County Sheriff’s Office dive team, Frisco Police Department K-9 unit, Hickory Creek Police Department K-9 unit, Prosper Police Department drone team, Lewisville Fire Department dive team, and Prosper ISD Police Department,” said the CPD.
Authorities said the investigation into Ashmead’s death remains ongoing.
“Let me be very clear. Police have no reason to believe that foul play is involved in this tragedy,” Officer John Thacker told Fox 4.
“Celina is a growing community, but we are a very close-knit community,” he continued. “A tragic loss like this cuts to the core of who we are as a community, as neighbors, and as first responders.”
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According to WFAA, police said Ashmead had severe developmental disabilities, and he was believed to be traveling on foot when he disappeared.
Nearby resident Siva Uppala described the child’s death as “heartbreaking” to the local outlet.
“This is very unfortunate. This is a parent’s worst nightmare,” she added. “I have a little kid, and that was really heartbreaking. When I heard the news, I was like, is it really safe to be around these ponds?”