The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced that a 5-year-old boy with autism was found dead in a lake situated at Lakeview Apartments in Meadow Lake after he was reported missing on Wednesday.
Per Action News 5, authorities found the body of the minor, identified as Kayden Nolen, after a citywide search that lasted 19 hours. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday issued an Endangered Child Alert for Nolen before later announcing that he had “been located deceased.”
The Memphis Police Department in a press release said that Nolen was last seen at the Lakeview Apartments in Meadow Lake on Wednesday. Authorities said that prior to his disappearance, Nolen was being cared for by an aunt. But she fell asleep as the minor was under her care.
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Nolen’s body was later found on Thursday in the apartment complex’s lake. “It’s kinda sad that somebody would let him get out of their sight,” an individual residing in the complex said.
One of Nolen’s aunts, Myishea Brounson, also expressed her anger and pain over her nephew’s death in an interview with Action News 5. She said she wished her nephew had received proper care.
“I don’t know what to think right now. Like, my mind is just completely blank,” said Brounson. “When I got the news from my school, I had to come from my school early because of the stuff that’s happening, and nobody was watching my nephew.”
Lakeview Apartments residents said that they partook in the search before authorities found Nolen’s body. Memphis Police Chief CJ Davis also said that it wasn’t the first time Nolen had disappeared, adding that the minor was immediately found anytime that happened.
“Last month, it was the same incident, but that time, they actually found him, though,” another neighbor stated. “They actually found him, they found him with no shoes and socks on.”
The MPD did not disclose if they’re questioning the deceased minor’s immediate family. “We are keeping his family, friends and those who knew him in our hearts, and offer our most sincere condolences in their loss,” the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said.
