A family in Florida is grappling with the loss of their young son. The boy, Jaylen Saintelien, and his family recently moved into a new home. As they unpacked, the 5-year-old got out of the house. His family noticed, quickly searching for the boy before calling for help. Because Jaylen was autistic and nonverbal, the response was quick. Sadly, he was found in a pond the day after he went missing. His death is a sad reminder that children with autism are more likely to die in drowning deaths than other kids their age.
On Saturday, July 26, 2025, the family of Jaylen Saintelien was in the process of moving into their new apartment in Naples, People reported. The boy was sitting on a kitchen stool eating pizza while his mom folded clothes in a bedroom. When his mom looked in on him, the boy was still there. However, when she went back to check a “short time later,” he wasn’t there.
Jaylen’s mom couldn’t find him anywhere in the apartment. So she asked her fiancé and brother to help look for him.
“After a quick search of the home and surrounding area the family called 911,” the Collier County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. Officers were told that Jaylen had autism and was nonverbal as they began their search.
Local news outlet WINK reported on the story, sharing a snippet of the 911 call. “I think I need police, because … with me, a while ago, he just hid, and he just opened the door, he got out … He’s 5,” his mom said to the operator.
As soon as they arrived, officers began searching for the boy on the ground and in the air. “Patrol deputies, Aviation, K-9, Drones, Mounted Patrol, Dive Team, Marine Patrol and detectives along with EMS and Greater Naples Fire Department searched through the evening and into the morning hours,” the statement explained.
On the morning of Sunday, July 27, deputies found the body of Jaylen Saintelien. He was in a pond near his family’s new home.
“We are heartbroken for Jaylen’s family and we extend our gratitude to our fellow first responders and the many members of the community who assisted in the search,” officials said in their statement.
WINK reached out to Jaylen’s dad for a statement. He said he wasn’t ready to comment on the tragic loss of his son. Later, he shared their story, saying, “My son is gone.”
