A woman says she saw Maddox Ritch the day he disappeared

A woman recounted that she had traded with Maddox Ritch, the 6-year-old boy who was found dead after missing in a park in North Carolina on the Saturday of his disappearance.

Brooke Sheppard told WBTV that she stopped on Saturday, September 22 at Gaston Gastonia Park for a picnic at the church. She claimed to have seen Ritch, an autistic and limited verbal skills, while she was walking with her mother and daughter.

Sheppard said, "I remember [my mother] looking at him and asking him, "Hey buddy, are you tired?" because he had just jumped, jogged, be a kid. "

Sheppard recalled that when Ritch did not answer and ran away, she assumed that he was going back to his guardian. But when she learned that a boy was missing, she told WBTV: "I immediately knew that it was him because I can remember to have him." seen … I can only remember it for a T. "

Maddox Ritch

Gastonia Police Department

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Rick Foxx, the park employee who called 911, told CBS News that he had not seen Maddox at the park.

"I worked there almost three years ago and we see everyone coming in and out of this park pretty much," Foxx said. "I did not see this kid once."

Ritch was walking with his father and another adult in the park when he ran away. His father, Ian Ritch, told PEOPLE Tuesday: "I was terrified. I did not know in which direction he was, so I looked as hard as I could, I took different paths and everything. "

He continued, "I tried to find it. I do not know where he went. In general, when he takes off, he slows down and stops so that I catch him. This time he never stopped.

At least two dozen law enforcement agencies, including FBI officials in Charlotte, searched for Maddox before his body was found in about two or three feet of water at Long Creek on Thursday. Gastonia police confirmed the news to PEOPLE in a statement.

"I'm sure everyone feels the same," Sheppard told WBTV. "They had the impression to know him because they were looking for him very hard, and we all hoped to find him, they would find him."

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Maddox's obituary said, "Maddox was an adorable and loving little boy who was full of laughter. He loved Paw Patrol, his teddy bear, who played with his bouncing balls, but he loved his father and mother first and foremost. "

A visit will take place on Thursday and a funeral will take place on Friday.

FBI agent Jason Kaplan said at a press conference that Maddox's body was "camouflaged". He explained, "It was extremely difficult to see even when we stood beside him. He was in the creek, in the water. Partially under water.

"Now, no heroes [sic] I could not protect or protect him, "his father wrote on Facebook. "I would give anything to go back and save it. … From that moment on and for the rest of my life, I will live with the guilt of not being there to save my son. The most important person of my life.

Ian and Maddox Ritch

Courtesy Ian Ritch

The Mecklenberg County Medical Examiner's Office told PEOPLE earlier this week that the cause of death had not yet been determined.

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Maddox's mother Carrie Ritch pleaded for her return at a press conference on Tuesday.

"I just want my baby to come home, please," she said. "Whatever you can do. Maddox is my whole world and my reason for living. He is the mom's boy. "

She added, "Maddox loves the park. He loves inflatable balls and he loves his teddy bear. His smile is so contagious and his laugh so precious.

According to her obituary, Maddox is survived by her parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.