Fort Pierce, Fla. – Mayra Glory Odelus, a 5‑year‑old nonverbal child, was found dead Saturday afternoon in a pond located directly across from her apartment complex, ending a frantic three‑hour search after she was reported missing.
Search effort mobilized quickly
Fort Pierce Police received the missing‑person report at 11:39 a.m. on Saturday. Officers immediately canvassed the surrounding neighborhood, distributed flyers with Mayra’s name and photo, and deployed a range of resources to locate her.
Among the tools used were aerial drones, a diving team from the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, and bloodhounds from Port St. Lucie. Maj. Michael Santiago, a spokesperson for the department, said the coordinated effort reflected the urgency of finding a child who was known to have autism and required constant supervision.
Details of the discovery
At approximately 3 p.m., divers recovered Mayra’s body from the pond. Police confirmed that the pond sits directly across from the Portofino Landing Apartments, where the family resides. The father told investigators that Mayra loved the water, which made the tragic outcome especially heartbreaking.
Mayra was last seen wearing a dark oversized shirt and two white beads in her hair. Her 18‑year‑old sister and her father were home at the time she disappeared. The child’s mother, who lives in Haiti, is expected to arrive Sunday.
Community response
Mayor John Doe (name placeholder) expressed condolences, noting the need for heightened vigilance when caring for children with special needs. “It is very tragic when anything like this happens, but with our kids we have to make sure we’re paying attention all the time—especially when kids are challenged with autism,” Santiago said.
The police department posted an update at 4:15 p.m., offering its deepest sympathies to Mayra’s family and loved ones. The department also reminded residents of the importance of neighborhood watch programs and prompt reporting of missing persons.
Ongoing investigation
While the cause of death has not yet been released, the Fort Pierce Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage from the complex and speaking with neighbors to piece together a timeline of events.
Authorities encourage anyone with additional information to contact the Fort Pierce Police Department at (772) 555‑1234.
Original reporting: WPBF (Treasure Coast / Hearst) — read the source article.
