DELTONA, Fla. — A 6-year-old boy who went missing on Christmas night was found safe after deputies located him in a neighborhood pond, the Volusia Sheriff's Office said.

The child, identified by deputies as Coco, was discovered around 6:30 p.m. in chest-deep water near Conyers Court. Air One guided deputies to his location, where he was found cold but unharmed.

Coco has autism, is nonverbal and is known to be attracted to water, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies said the child had previously been rescued from a pond near his Deltona neighborhood last summer.

Following that earlier incident in August 2024, Coco began swimming lessons. Deputies said they also spoke with the family about strengthening safety measures at the home and ensuring the child wears his AngelSense tracking device at all times.

Authorities said the most important outcome was that Coco was safely reunited with his family.

Source: Volusia Sheriff’s Office