INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Deputies are scanning the ground and using a sheriff’s helicopter to find a missing two-year-old boy last seen Tuesday afternoon, prompting a multi-agency search. Sheriff’s officials said Shamar Windhom – whom they described as autistic – was last seen wearing only a diaper.
“Earlier today we received a 911 call from the father. He stated that he was in the house feeding another small child when he noticed the two-year-old went 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 lived. “(The father) looked upstairs and observed that the window screen on the second floor appeared to be pushed out. He ran downstairs, did not see any sign of the child and called 911.”
Shamar Windhom PHOTO PROVIDED BY FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
The boy was last seen about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at 2870 71st Circle in the Walker Woods Apartment complex, north of 26th Street. The sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division, road patrol and special operations unit are combing the area for any sign 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 this area and you have video, our team is looking for you to share that video.”
Flowers said the distance from the second-floor window to the ground is about 20 feet. The sheriff said the boy’s parents were speaking with detectives.
“The other child is fine with them, but this two-year-old has been missing,” Flowers said. “If you were in the area earlier today, if you saw something…a child walking…someone carrying the child…that’s the call to the public right now.”
Video by Nick Samuel
Law enforcement officers were using bloodhounds, drones and other techniques to scan the apartment area and woods nearby. Deputies searched inside the apartment unit where the boy lives, said Capt. Joe Abollo, a spokesperson with the sheriff’s office.
Flowers said first responders also looked inside a large pond located behind the apartment inside the complex. The pond is several feet away from the units.
“A lot of autistic children are attracted to water. There’s a lot of water in this area. That’s all very concerning to us,” Flowers said.
Sheriff’s officials checked with all the hospitals in the county to make sure the boy wasn’t brought in, Abollo said. Deputies blocked off roadways and asked motorists to avoid the area.
“It’s still an active fresh scene for us to search,” Flowers said.
First responders with 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 Resue were also at the scene.
“We have hundreds of law enforcement on scene at this point,” Flowers said.
The sheriff said the father and the two small children were the only people in the home before Windhom disappeared. The family lived on the east side of the complex, Abollo said.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued a missing child alert Tuesday afternoon. The alert showed Windhom’s picture and described him as Black with black hair, brown eyes, 2-feet tall and weighing 45 pounds.
The sheriff’s office also issued an alert notifying the public of the missing boy. Missing People in America, a non-governmental organization dedicated to reuniting missing individuals with their loved ones, sent out an alert about Windhom’s disappearance.
Deputies closed 26th Street from 74th Avenue to 66th Avenue and only allowed residents at Walker Woods to drive to their homes.
“If we don’t find him, the search will be ongoing,” Abollo said. “We will switch out deputies and K-9 dogs.”
Anyone who sees Windhom or has information on his whereabouts should call 911 or the sheriff’s non-emergency line at 772-978-6240. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-TIPS or tcwatch.org and possibly be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
