Six-year-old boy with autism in New York drowns after wandering into a pond

The boy was barefoot and wearing only a diaper when he disappeared

Onnex Thompson-Hall, 6, was found drowned in a pond near his house after he slipped away from his caregivers in upstate New York. (New York State Police handout)

A six-year-old boy with autism has drowned after wandering away near the Washington County Fairgrounds in upstate New York.

Police are investigating the death of Onnex Thompson-Hall, who slipped away from his caregivers on Sunday and was later found drowned in a pond near his home.

The child was barefoot and wearing on his diaper at the time of the incident, according to the Times Union. New York State Police said the drowning appears accidental but the agency is launching an investigation regardless.

The boy was reportedly enrolled in the Crossroads Centre for Children in Schenectady. The group mourned for the child in a blog post on Monday.

“We are heart-broken to share that Onnex, a student in Room 13, went missing yesterday morning,” the group wrote, before adding: “The loss of a child is something no-one is ready for. Putting the thoughts together for what to do and how seems impossible. All we want now is for his family to be held up in prayer and support and love.”