Missing Child Search Alert
UPDATE 6:46 PM:
STATEMENT FROM POLICE CHIEF JESSE GODFREY
Earlier today, just before noon, our officers responded to a report of a missing child at Central Park off Fleming Avenue. A father was at the park with his three young children, all under the age of 5, when one of them, 4-year-old Waylon Childs, went missing.
As the Chief of Police for Ormond Beach, I want to assure you that we are doing everything within our power to find Waylon. This search is a true team effort, with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Sheriff’s Office, and local law enforcement from neighboring cities all working closely with us to conduct a thorough and exhaustive search.
Our search teams are covering all areas—on the ground, in the air, and in the water—and we will not rest until we exhaust all options and have answers on Waylon’s whereabouts.
If you have any information, no matter how small it may seem, please contact us immediately. Your support and vigilance can make all the difference. The number to call is 1-888-356-4774 to leave a tip.
UPDATE 5:20 PM:
State, county, and local law enforcement agencies are actively involved in the search effort, utilizing extensive resources to ensure a thorough investigation of the parks. Volusia Sheriff’s Office, and numerous officers are working collaboratively on the ground and in the air to cover every possible area.
Again, we kindly ask the public to avoid the area to allow law enforcement to conduct the search without interference and to maintain the integrity of the operation. Thank you.
UPDATE 3:48 PM:
We appreciate the public’s concern and willingness to help. However, we kindly ask that community members DO NOT RESPOND to Central Park to assist in the search. Additional foot traffic is impacting our search efforts and could interfere with the scene.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work diligently on this search.
A Florida MISSING CHILD Alert has been issued for Waylon Childs, a white male, 4 years old, 3 feet tall, 30 pounds, brown hair and brown eyes, last seen in the area of the 600 block of Fleming Avenue in Ormond Beach, Florida, who was last seen wearing a maroon shirt, maroon sweatpants, and gray shoes. CHECK WATER.
If you have any information on the whereabouts of this child please contact the Ormond Beach Police Department at 386-677-0731 or 911. Volusia Sheriff’s Office is on scene assisting us.
