Photo: Courtesy Ian Ritch
A woman says that she interacted with Maddox Ritch, the 6-year-old boy whowas found deadafterdisappearing in a North Carolina park, on the Saturday that he went missing.
Sheppard said, “I can remember [my mother] looking over and asking him, ‘Hey buddy, are you tired?’ because he had just been skipping, jogging, being a kid.”
Gastonia Police Department
Rick Foxx, the park staffer who called 911, toldCBS Newsthat hedid not see Maddox at the park.
“I’ve worked there almost three years and we see everybody come in and out of that park pretty much,” Foxx said. “I didn’t see that kid one time.”
Ritch was walking with his father and another adult at the park when he ran away. His father Ian Ritchtold PEOPLEon Tuesday, “I was terrified. I didn’t know which direction he went so I looked as hard as I could, I went different ways and everything.”
He continued, “I tried to find him. I don’t know where he went. Usually when he takes off running he’ll slow down and stop for me to catch up with him. This time he never stopped.”
At least two dozen law enforcement agencies, including FBI officials in Charlotte, searched for Maddox before his body was found in about two or three feet of water in Long Creek on Thursday. Gastonia police confirmed the news to PEOPLE in a statement.
Maddox’sobituarysaid, “Maddox was a sweet and loving little boy who was full of laughter. He lovedPaw Patrol, his Teddy, playing with his bouncy balls, but above all he loved his mom and dad the most.”
A visitation will be held on Thursday, and a funeral will be held on Friday.
FBI agent Jason Kaplan said at a press conference that Maddox’s body was “camouflaged.” He explained, “It was extremely difficult to see him even when we were standing right next to him. He was in the creek, in water. Partially underwater.”
“Now im no heroe [sic] i couldnt save him or protect him at all,” his fatherwrote on Facebook. “I would give anythingto go back and save him. … From this moment on for the rest of my life i will live with the guilt of not being there to save my son. The most important person in my life.”
Courtesy Ian Ritch
The Mecklenberg County Medical Examiner’s office told PEOPLE earlier this week that the cause of death had yet to be determined.
Maddox’s mother Carrie Ritch tearfullypleaded for his return at a press conferenceon Tuesday.
She added, “Maddox loves the park. He loves bouncy balls and he loves his teddy bear. His smile is so contagious and his laughter so precious.”
source: people.com
