Missing 3-Year Old Found Dead of Apparent Accidental Drowning

(Osage, AR) — The search for 3-year old Aiden Bell ended in tragedy when his lifeless body was found shortly after 1pm on Tuesday afternoon less than a mile from his grandparents home where he was reported to have been last seen near Osage, AR.

A National Park Service Employee found the body of the 3-year-old on the bank of Osage Creek.  Hundreds of community volunteers and emergency rescue personnel gathered to search for Aiden after he wandered off from his grandparents home Monday afternoon.

It is believed that Aiden attempted to cross the water and may have lost his footing. George Stow-Rains with the Arkansas Forestry Commission commented, “What probably happened is, he tried to cross the creek and it knocked him off his feet.”

Though Aiden was never formally diagnosed with autism, the family reported to Emergency Management Director of Carroll County that he showed signs of being autistic.

Although officials state they have no reason to believe this was anything but an accidental drowning, when asked if any foul play was suspected, Kelly Miller, Deputy Coroner in Carroll County said, “It’s still under investigation.”

As of today, funeral arrangements are pending.