The tragic discovery of a 3-year-old autistic boy’s body was confirmed by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. The boy, Rakim Akbari, had been reported missing from a resort near Disney World. His body was found in a nearby body of water at the resort, and the circumstances of his untimely death are currently under investigation.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) had issued a missing child alert on Thursday. Rakim was last seen in the vicinity of Palm Village Circle in Orlando. He was wearing a maroon shirt and pajama pants in white, green, and red, and was barefoot. Rakim had limited verbal communication skills due to his autism. During the search, the public was encouraged to check bodies of water and waterways.
The resort from which Rakim disappeared was later identified as the Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas at Lake Buena Vista, located approximately 12 miles from Disney World. The incident has deeply affected both resort guests and local residents. One guest expressed profound sympathy, saying, “It’s just heartbreaking. My heart really goes out to the family about the loss of the little boy. It’s a child, what can we say. With anyone really, but when it’s the babies, that hurts even more.”
The tragic incident involving Rakim Akbari underscores the critical importance of vigilance and safety, especially when it comes to children with special needs. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has extended its condolences to Rakim’s family during this challenging time. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death is ongoing.