WESTFORD, MASS. (WHDH) - A 6-year-old child who escaped his home through a window died Monday morning after he was found in the water at a lake in Westford, police said.
Westford police in a statement said authorities first responded to a home on Chestnut Road near 9:15 p.m. Sunday after Zayan Mayanja was reported missing.
Police launched a search using K9 units, drones, a boat, and a state police helicopter, among other tools. They ultimately found Mayanja shortly after 12 a.m. Monday in Nabnasset Lake behind a residence on Lake Shore Drive.
Authorities brought Mayanja to Lowell General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to police.
Westford police said their investigation into this incident was ongoing as of late Monday morning.
“The Westford Police Department extends its deepest condolences to Zayan’s family and friends and ask that members of the public and media respect the family’s privacy during this tragic time,” police said.
Law enforcement personnel were seen going door-to-door on Monday.
Speaking with 7NEWS, one man said his grandson is a Westford K9 officer who found Mayanja. He said his grandson was “having a rough day.”
“He’s got little ones too, so it’s a big deal,” he said.
Amy Tatarka, who lives nearby, said people in the area received a reverse 911 call Sunday night saying authorities were searching for a child. She said the call told people to stay in their homes while the search continued.
The news that Mayanja had died, she said, was “heartbreaking.”
Police said Mayanja had autism and was non-verbal. He was also a student at the Westford Public Schools.
Police thanked agencies that aided in the search for Mayanja and said grief counselors would be available within the Westford Public Schools for anyone that needs assistance.
Police urged anyone with a family member who is on the autism spectrum or who has “another cognitive condition” to contact the department at 978-399-2345 and sign up for the department’s cognitive alert registration program.
The program, police said, “will greatly assist law enforcement in locating your loved one if they were to ever go missing.”
“That address is now flagged in our system,” said Westford police Capt. Michael Breault. “When we go to that address, we have a picture available, we have all the information available, as well. It just gives us a little bit of a head start when we’re looking for these individuals.”
Asked if the program could have made a difference in the search for Mayanja, Breault responded.
“I don’t know if it would have made a difference last night, but it could help in the future,” he said.
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