Missing Ronda child found dead

RONDA — The body of an autistic child who went missing from his home Tuesday evening in Ronda has been found, according to Wilkes County authorities.

While few details were initially released, officials in the county confirmed on Wednesday that a 7-year-old boy who was reported missing from his home in Ronda on Tuesday night has been found dead.

Zach Walker was last seen in the front yard of his home in Ronda, on South Lomax Road.

The boy was reported to have autism and be non-verbal. From the time he was reported missing Tuesday night through the discovery of his body Wednesday, authorities said between 100 and 150 volunteers and rescue personnel searched for the child, some utilizing drones and thermal imaging cameras.

Authorities told the media Wednesday afternoon that Zach was found deceased in a pond near his home at around 12 noon that day. The Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office said no foul play is suspected at this time and that the child’s death was an unfortunate accident.