A naked preschooler was found dead near Beverly Beach at the 6000 block of Athens Beach Drive at around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday.
Medics confirmed the child was dead when they arrived at the scene. He is believed to have drowned in the inlet.
Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Lt. Cameron Simper said the 4-year-old boy was autistic and lived in the Beverly Beach area. He frequently left his home to wander, Simper said.
Simper said deputies located a resident in the neighborhood and woke up the adult in the home who was unaware that the child had left the residence in the early morning.
Simper said the Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the incident in conjunction with Child Protective Services to make sure other children in the home are taken care of and to determine if any charges are warranted.
