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The body found in a North Carolina stream last week that would likely be that of Maddox Ritch was confirmed Monday as the missing six-year-old autistic boy, police said.
"Unfortunately, the body found in Long Creek on Thursday has been confirmed as the little Maddox Ritch," tweeted the Gastonia police department. "The investigation is ongoing."
Ritch's father reported his disappearance on September 22 after fleeing to Rankin Lank Park, about 30 miles west of Charlotte. The child, who was suffering from nonverbal autism, ran in front of him and disappeared. The father, Ian Ritch, was with an unidentified friend at the time of the incident.
"I'm not eating, I'm not sleeping," Ritch said last week at a press conference with Gastonia police and the FBI, "I'm just worried about getting my little boy back. thought that after the first night he would be fine. "
A WOMAN SAYS SA HAS SEEN RITCH FROM MADDOX TO THE PARK OF NORTH CAROLINA ON THE DAY OF HER BREACH; Authorities investigate death
His mother, Carrie Ritch, said, "Maddox is my word and my reason for living."
The FBI branch in Charlotte said Monday that their investigation was still ongoing and the authorities were still trying to talk to people who might have met Ritch the day he disappeared.
The message on the poster in front of the Greater Gaston Baptist Association's offices is posted on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 in Gastonia, North Carolina, near Rankin Lake Park, where 6-year-old Maddox Ritch then disappeared. that he was visiting the park with his father September 22, 2018. (Photo AP / John Clark Gaston Gazette)
"Please, do not spread rumors, theories or speculation on social media about Maddox Ritch," the FBI tweeted. "The investigation is underway, we are working hard to determine how he got into the creek.If you were in the park, and we did not talk to you, call the @GPDNC Advisory Line at 704-869-1075. "
Police said it was unclear when Ritch's autopsy would be over. His funeral is scheduled for Friday.
Katherine Lam of Fox News and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
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