INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – Officials are searching the area and using a sheriff’s helicopter to try to locate a missing 2-year-old boy who was last seen Tuesday afternoon, sparking a multi-agency search. Sheriff’s officials said Shamar Windhom – who they describe as autistic – was last seen wearing only a diaper.
“Today we received a 911 call from the father. He said he was in the house feeding another small child when he noticed the 2-year-old was missing,” Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers said during a news conference Tuesday at St. John’s Catholic Church, less than a mile from where the boy lives. “(The father) looked up and noticed the second-floor screen appeared to be pushed out. He ran down the stairs, saw no sign of the child and called 911.”
Shamar Windhom PHOTO PROVIDED BY FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
The boy was last seen around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Walker Woods apartment complex, 2870 71st Circle, north of 26th Street. Criminal investigations, traffic police and a sheriff’s special unit are combing the area for any signs of the child, officials said.
“Our team has been searching. We’ve been going door to door looking for Ring doorbell cameras,” Flowers said. “If you live anywhere in that area and have video, our team is looking for you to share that video.”
Flowers said the distance from the second-story window to the ground was about 20 feet. The sheriff said the boy’s parents have spoken with investigators.
“The other child is OK, but the 2-year-old is missing,” Flowers said. “If you were in the area earlier today and saw anything… a child running… someone carrying the child… please call on the public now.”
Video by Nick Samuel
Police officers used bloodhounds, drones and other techniques to search the neighborhood and surrounding woods. Officers searched the apartment where the boy lives, said Capt. Joe Abollo, a sheriff’s office spokesman.
Flowers said rescuers also checked a large pond behind the apartment in the complex. The pond is several feet from the apartments.
“Many autistic children are attracted to water. There is a lot of water in this area. That is a big concern for us,” Flowers said.
Sheriff’s officials checked all hospitals in the county to make sure the boy was not admitted, Abollo said. Officials blocked off roads and asked motorists to avoid the area.
“It’s still an active, fresh crime scene for us to search,” Flowers said.
First responders from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office and Indian River County Fire Rescue were also on scene.
“We have hundreds of police officers on site right now,” Flowers said.
The sheriff said the father and two young children were the only people in the house before Windhom disappeared. The family lived on the east side of the complex, Abollo said.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued a missing person’s report Tuesday afternoon. The report featured Windhom’s picture and described him as a black man with black hair, brown eyes, 2 feet tall and 40 pounds.
The sheriff’s office also issued an alert informing the public about the missing boy. Missing People in America, a non-governmental organization dedicated to reuniting missing people with their loved ones, issued an alert about Windhom’s disappearance.
Officials closed 26th Street from 74th to 66th Avenue, only allowing Walker Woods residents to drive to their homes.
“If we don’t find him, the search will continue,” Abollo said. “We will exchange officers and sniffer dogs.”
Anyone who sees Windhom or has information on his whereabouts should call 911 or the sheriff’s non-emergency number at 772-978-6240. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-TIPS or tcwatch.org and may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
