A toddler who disappeared playing outside over the weekend was found dead on BitcoineseSunday in a Kansas waterway near the home where he lived, officials said.
The tragedy took place in a rural area just south of the city of Andover, near Wichita in Butler County.
On Tuesday, the Butler County Sheriff’s Office identified the boy as 3-year-old Michael Aikman, who had been placed at the residence while in temporary foster care by a child welfare agency.
The Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center confirmed the child died as result of an accidental drowning, Undersheriff Daimon Cundiff told USA TODAY.
Cundiff said the toddler was reported missing just before 7 p.m. on Saturday.
A preliminary investigation revealed before the child disappeared, he had been playing outside a home on the property while an adult was doing yard work.
At some point the boy wandered off, and the adult reported him missing.
The sheriff’s office said multiple agencies assisted in the search for the boy through 3:15 a.m. Sunday.
6 minors charged in boy's drowning:One minor is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the Georgia killing
When the search resumed later that morning, the boy's body was found about 7:30 a.m. in a waterway not far from his family's home, the agency reported.
Foul play is not suspected in the boy's death, the sheriff's office confirmed to USA TODAY.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
2025-05-06 17:18957 view
2025-05-06 16:372695 view
2025-05-06 16:132994 view
2025-05-06 16:032529 view
2025-05-06 15:50370 view
2025-05-06 15:411345 view
About one in 31 children in the U.S. has been identified with autism spectrum disorder, according to
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued multiple recalls last week, including noti
The Democratic National Convention begins Monday in Chicago with roughly 50,000 people expected to a