CHARLES COUNTY, Md. – A devastating incident unfolded in Charles County on Sunday when a young boy with autism was found dead after vanishing from his home. The Sheriff’s Office reports that 5-year-old Miles McMahon, who was non-verbal, disappeared from a residence in the Bannister neighborhood of Waldorf.
Miles was last spotted around 11 a.m. outside his home on St. Pauls Drive. Security footage captured him skipping in the front yard before he vanished. After an intense search by family members, unable to locate him, a call to 911 set the gears of a large-scale search in motion.
Charles County officers quickly formed a perimeter and concentrated efforts on local ponds and waterways nearby, alarmed by Miles’ disappearance. They urged residents to inspect their properties, including pools and small hideouts, and to scrutinize any security footage for signs of the child.
The search operation was extensive, involving a drone team, Maryland State Police’s Trooper 2, and local officers, including the La Plata Police and the Charles County Dive Team. K9 units and bloodhounds were employed to scour the area with hopes of finding him safely.
Tragically, the Maryland State Police Dive Team discovered Miles’ body in a pond close to his home. The heartbreak of the situation resonated deeply with all involved, as expressed in a statement by the Sheriff’s Office, which shared the sorrowful news and extended condolences, asking the community to hold Miles and his family in their thoughts and prayers.
Efforts continue to piece together the events leading to this heartbreaking outcome. Further information will be shared as it becomes available.