I use to always take my special needs clients (that had habit of " running ahead") there to walk because of how much easier it was for me to keep them in constant sight. If you're on the trail surrounding the lake ( where he is reportedly missing from) the view is unobstructed... The trail is however outlined by trees and sits only feet away from the water therefore I still had to remain hyper aware ( just as I am with my own young son) as things can go bad so quickly around water... I truly hope he is ok but Its impossible to not think the worse... ... People keep posting on news sites that since he is nonverbal he couldn't cry for help but nonverbal does not necessarily mean he makes no sounds at all... Many individuals are 'nonverbal' however can still communicate sounds ( screams, laughs, humming etc.)
I did find parents facebooks and didnt get that " off" feeling we normally get however, I find it hard to believe he was able to disappear from sight if dad was actually on the trail... Its very likely he is in the water but dad definitely would have saw that unless paying ZERO attention ..Not accusing just trying to wrap my head around it while knowing I went out of my way to use that trail with clients for that EXACT reason; had any ran ahead of me while walking it they would have still been in my line of sight while I caught up....I'm a parent to a very behavioral challenged 4 year old who has ZERO fear so I get it... we are human and allowed to look away....just not feet away from water, with a child who likely was prone to running.
This was also a gorgeous day at an already busy park. I did just see that police are searching surveillance video.
Surrounding the park is a lot of drainage pipes ( this use to be a water reservoir until 2013 when they revamped it), a shooting range backs right up to it, several industrial buildings surround it as well as lots of woods and creeks.
I've attached some photos of the trail and lake.