HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Neighbors held a prayer vigil Friday night for the family of a 5-year-old boy who wandered away from his home in the Katy area and drowned in a nearby pond.
Harris County sheriff’s deputies searched for the missing 5-year-old, identified as Los Jones, and his body from the water several hours later.
@HCSOTexas deputies and support personnel are conducting an active search for a missing 5-yr-old child. The child wandered off from a residence at the 5900 blk of Longhorn Run Lane. #HouNews pic.twitter.com/JHQZFl45E3
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) September 28, 2023
According to HCSO, Jones wandered off from a residence in the 5900 block of Longhorn Run Lane on Thursday. It’s possible he got out of the home through his bedroom window, the sheriff’s office said.
Neighbors showed KPRC 2′s Bryce Newberry surveillance video of the boy running down the street at around 1:15 p.m.
According to Maj. Earl Dean, they were called at approximately 2:35 p.m. in reference to the missing boy. About four minutes later, units began searching for the child.
Dean said the child may have been missing up to an hour before the call came in.
The search involved patrol units, a helicopter, drones, and K9 units, he said.
After a lengthy search, Dean said witnesses told them the child may have gone into a retention pond. A possible article of child’s clothing was also recovered near the pond.
“The sonar is attached to a robotic device and it was deployed into the water and we are able to see video images of the child underwater,” Dean said.
A dive team responded to the scene where they found the child’s body in the pond, approximately three blocks away from where his home was located.
“The child was said to be at home with his mom and his aunt. They’re very distraught, naturally. It’s especially tragic to lose any loved ones, but especially a child,” Dean said.
The tragedy is now under investigation, which Dean said will involve Child Protective Services. No charges have been filed.
“We ask our citizens to be mindful, especially when you have young children around bodies of water in your neighborhood,” Dean said.
NOW: Massive @HCSOTexas search in Katy underway on the ground, from the air, and in a retention pond after deputies say 5-year-old Los Jones wandered away from home this afternoon. Neighbor’s surveillance camera shows him running down Longhorn Run Lane around 1:15 p.m. pic.twitter.com/TBOxq6Su6X
— Bryce Newberry (@KPRC2Bryce) September 28, 2023
Dean said these types of calls take a toll on the law enforcement officers who have to see this kind of incident.
“It’s a tragic situation, none of our officers want to respond to this type of call but we have a duty to come out here, our primary focus was to locate this child. We were hoping for the best, but unfortunately, this tragedy occurred,” Dean said.
A GoFundMe has been set up for Los Jones. You can donate here.
Sheriff’s Office offers tips
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office offers tips on child safety should your child disappear.
- Immediately check all rooms in the home and possible hideaways
- Check outside parameters of the home, including pools or other bodies of water
- Check with neighbors
If the child is still not found, call 911. Officials say these steps are important for children with autism.
HCSO also wants parents to know that programs such as Project Lifesaver exists. Click here for more information.