Missing 3-year-old found dead in water at resort where he disappeared, Florida cops say

A 3-year-old has been found dead in a body of water at a resort where he wandered away, Florida authorities said.

Rakim Akbari disappeared from an Orlando hotel the morning of July 18, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

“Rakim, who also goes by ‘Tuda,’ has autism, and there is extreme concern for his well-being,” deputies said shortly before 11 a.m.

The sheriff’s office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement missing child alerts encouraged locals to check the waters near their homes.

According to the missing child alert flyer, Rakim was from Orlando.

At 4 p.m., deputies said the toddler was found dead in water at the resort where he was reported missing, deputies said in a news release.

“Our detectives are still looking into how this tragedy occurred,” deputies said. “We are grieving his loss, and our prayers are with his family.”

The hotel, which was not publicly named, is near the intersection of World Center Drive and State Road 535.

This story was originally published July 18, 2024 at 2:37 PM with the headline "Missing 3-year-old found dead in water at resort where he disappeared, Florida cops say."