5-Year-Old’s Body Found in a Canal After He Disappeared From His Birthday Party

Boise Police Department/Facebook

Matthew Glynn’s fifth birthday party ended in tragedy after he wandered away from his home in Idaho on Monday afternoon. A day later, Idaho police found a body they believe to be his. Glynn, who is autistic and nonverbal, was celebrating with family and friends before he went missing.

Right before 6 p.m. Monday, officers responded to a report of a missing child. They were told he was barefoot and wearing Batman pajamas. They immediately began searching for Glynn.

Glynn was reportedly drawn to water.

Authorities employed a large-scale search using drones, ATVs, UTVs, and tracking dogs to attempt to locate the 58-year-old, ABC News reported. Glynn was reportedly drawn to water. With that information, police centered their search on those areas. They also went door to door, alerting the neighbors and checking people’s backyards.

The Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue team played 'Wheels on the Bus' to attract the boy.

Thirty people from the Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue, including mountain bike teams, comprised the team dedicated to finding Glynn on Monday night. The group used flashing lights from their UTVs. They also played “Wheels on the Bus” to attract the boy. The Boise Fire Department was also a part of the team.

Glynn's body was submerged in a canal.

On Tuesday, search crews found a body in a canal. The canal was half a mile north of Glynn’s home.

"Sadly, this is not the outcome we were all hoping for. Our hearts go out to Matthew's family, and we extend our deepest condolences during this incredibly difficult time," Boise Fire Chief Mark Niemeyer shared in a statement put out by the city.

Authorities are 'heartbroken' about what happened.

The Ada County Coroner’s Office confirmed Wednesday that the body belonged to Glynn. They ruled his cause of death an accidental drowning. Police said there appear to be no signs of foul play.

"We are heartbroken over this development today," Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar noted in the city's statement. "We want to thank our many partners for their response as well as the public for their willingness to help another member of our community in a time of need."