Found Deceased NC - Maddox Ritch, 6 w/Autism, Gastonia, 22 Sept 2018

[HayLouise]

TODAY‏Verified account @TODAYshow

'6-year old Maddox Ritch, who has autism and is nonverbal, disappeared over the weekend in North Carolina while on a walk with his family. And now, the FBI has joined the search.'

TODAY on Twitter

*Video at link

 

[msmamanana]

I feel like whoever they are protecting by not identifying, wasn't suppose to be there with the father, but LE doesn't think they were directly involved in Maddox being missing.

 

[HayLouise]

Hilary Powell‏Verified account @mshilary

'NEW: The search continues into day four at Rankin Lake Park in Gastonia for 6-year-old Maddox Ritch. @GPDNC say dogs from the SBI & National Center for Missing and Exploited Children are re-searching areas, while SWAT is searching on foot. #FindMaddox'



Hilary Powell on Twitter

bbm

 

[sun16]

Not always, but sometimes there is more involved with these types of occurances, i.e. there are issues going on in the family. Let’s hope that’s not the case, or that he didn’t just happen to be abducted by a stranger. Although him simply running off isn’t good either, given the amount of time that has gone by. I imagine the police have questioned the father, whoever was with the father at the park, and other witnesses. We’ll see what happens. I know they’ve told the public ‘no rumors’ and to not come to the park to search. Does anyone in Gastonia know if LE has the entire park closed off to the public? Is there anyhing any of us who are local can do (other than pray)?

 

[HayLouise]

Gastonia Police‏ @GPDNC

'Efforts continue in the search for Maddox Ritch this morning. We ask the public to please be considerate toward sharing any information concerning the efforts that are not confirmed on the Gastonia... https://www.facebook.com/GastoniaPoliceDepartment/posts/2271599829774508 …'

Gastonia Police on Twitter

 

[yrmfp]

I feel like one reason none of this is making sense is that the report WE have been told via media and LE, of "a 6 year old " running ahead" of dad and he not be able to catch him before he vanished ", stops (and theres an hour before 911 was called) does not sit right. LE has been very focused on this park however, have not confirmed rather witnesses or video saw him. That information given to us via LE has not changed.

This made me personally(initially until witnesses started being interviewed via media) think they werent able to confirm ( nor deny) him being at the park .... many people have been a bit 'unhappy ' that ( as far as WE know LE has not extended the search from beyond the 2 mile around the park ( with a very " appeasing " mention of checking your yard, etc ) and had bluntly said they do not need the public's help searching.
By now they are normally pleading for help.They are not clueless.

No huge developments have been told to us however, if you relisten to yesterdays PC between mark 7-8 the mention moms privacy and victims specialist being with her, pause, and throw in " and dad would like us to respect his privacy". Theres also this mystery person.

( IMO) Dad/video/ witness friend may have very well told LE more details by now ( like what he was doing in the park that left him distracted long enough for Maddox to vanish) and LE isnt mentioning this because it will not help with locating Maddox ( and possibly may hinder the investigation and search somehow if we use that knowledge and assume differently than what LE already are onto).

There is this missing piece and ( now after the search staying focused at the park area )I do feel like LE has it , are confident Maddox was in fact at the park , and are not going to reveal until he is found. I do not think they think Dad hurt Maddox however, there may be other charges they bring forth later .
* all just speculation based on what has transpired so far


Edit to add: excuse punctuation etc. Typing quickly via phone

 

[yrmfp]

Not always, but sometimes there is more involved with these types of occurances, i.e. there are issues going on in the family. Let’s hope that’s not the case, or that he didn’t just happen to be abducted by a stranger. Although him simply running off isn’t good either, given the amount of time that has gone by. I imagine the police have questioned the father, whoever was with the father at the park, and other witnesses. We’ll see what happens. I know they’ve told the public ‘no rumors’ and to not come to the park to search. Does anyone in Gastonia know if LE has the entire park closed off to the public? Is there anyhing any of us who are local can do (other than pray)?

The park has been closed off since Saturday evening.

 

[HayLouise]

Gastonia Police‏ @GPDNC

'As of Tuesday, September 25...Efforts continue in the search for Maddox Ritch. If you have any information, please call the Tip Line, 704-869-1075.'

Gastonia Police on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

Amber Roberts‏ @AmberFOX46

'RIGHT NOW: The search continues for 6-year-old Maddox Ritch. Investigators are sharing with @FOX46News some of the ways they're trying to find him, and, have released pictures of the outfit he was last seen wearing.'

Amber Roberts on Twitter

*Video at link

 

[osu]

I fear that the adults present went to a secluded place, then stepped away from Maddox to engage in their own interests, and when their attention turned back to him he had been gone for more than a few minutes. That might be why the woman saw him alone. My knowledge of children won't let me accept that he ran ahead and they couldn't catch him.

The adults could’ve been chasing Pokémon through the woods on their phones. It’s a very distracting game and easy to loose track of time and what you should be doing like watching your kids. JMO

 

[yrmfp]

I have not used this park in over a year however, from what people have said there are parts of this park that have been recently used for drug use, prostitution etc.... There is homeless population and sketchy motels essentially right behind it. IF illegal activities were transpiring when Maddox went missing it would explain LE leaving out this huge chunk of information.

 

[sun16]

I do not want to see this end up like the Mariah Woods case!

 

[HayLouise]

Lauren Dugan‏ @DuganFOX46

'On air & on FB live. Join the conversation. Spread the word. #FindMaddox @FOX46News https://www.facebook.com/fox46charlotte/videos/1862418853872787/ …'

Lauren Dugan on Twitter

 

[JC40]

I feel like one reason none of this is making sense is that the report WE have been told via media and LE, of "a 6 year old " running ahead" of dad and he not be able to catch him before he vanished ", stops (and theres an hour before 911 was called) does not sit right. LE has been very focused on this park however, have not confirmed rather witnesses or video saw him. That information given to us via LE has not changed.

This made me personally(initially until witnesses started being interviewed via media) think they werent able to confirm ( nor deny) him being at the park .... many people have been a bit 'unhappy ' that ( as far as WE know LE has not extended the search from beyond the 2 mile around the park ( with a very " appeasing " mention of checking your yard, etc ) and had bluntly said they do not need the public's help searching.
By now they are normally pleading for help.They are not clueless.

No huge developments have been told to us however, if you relisten to yesterdays PC between mark 7-8 the mention moms privacy and victims specialist being with her, pause, and throw in " and dad would like us to respect his privacy". Theres also this mystery person.

( IMO) Dad/video/ witness friend may have very well told LE more details by now ( like what he was doing in the park that left him distracted long enough for Maddox to vanish) and LE isnt mentioning this because it will not help with locating Maddox ( and possibly may hinder the investigation and search somehow if we use that knowledge and assume differently than what LE already are onto).

There is this missing piece and ( now after the search staying focused at the park area )I do feel like LE has it , are confident Maddox was in fact at the park , and are not going to reveal until he is found. I do not think they think Dad hurt Maddox however, there may be other charges they bring forth later .
* all just speculation based on what has transpired so far


Edit to add: excuse punctuation etc. Typing quickly via phone

"and theres an hour before 911 was called)

Has this been confirmed by LE?

Thanks

 

[Isabelle]

What a horror!!!

 

[yrmfp]

"and theres an hour before 911 was called)

Has this been confirmed by LE?

Thanks

I am not sure if it was ever in any of LE official statements but it has been reported since the story initially 'broke'. I am pretty sure it was reported via news as well as I know it was a big part of skepticism but will go try to find the earlier reports,if I am confusing that with social media rumor I'll edit my post

 

[CrownCowboy]

Not always, but sometimes there is more involved with these types of occurances, i.e. there are issues going on in the family. Let’s hope that’s not the case, or that he didn’t just happen to be abducted by a stranger. Although him simply running off isn’t good either, given the amount of time that has gone by. I imagine the police have questioned the father, whoever was with the father at the park, and other witnesses. We’ll see what happens. I know they’ve told the public ‘no rumors’ and to not come to the park to search. Does anyone in Gastonia know if LE has the entire park closed off to the public? Is there anyhing any of us who are local can do (other than pray)?

The entire park is closed off as far as I know. The entrances along Tulip Drive were both closed as I left work this morning.

They have extended the search area 2 square miles from what I have read and I know that they have asked residents and businesses to also search their properties around the park.

Something about the father's story doesn't add up to me.

The three scenarios in my opinion most likely is that he is either still lost in the park, something happened in regards with the father, or abduction. I'm not saying I think any one scenario over the other. Just my opinion on what possibly happened.

 

[my1nonlyaspen]

This is the most horrifying thing because my own child, 9, is non verbal/ASD and has recently been deemed a "runner". He can be QUICK and FAST. I almost broke my ankle last night as we got out of the car and he went for the road. Now we live in a little tiny circle with almost no cars but still, he went and I ran after him. We were at target sunday and my husband had to run after him after he dashed around a corner. If I'm not physically holding onto his hand (even then it still happens), he can get away from me. I don't have to do a full out run/dash to catch him and he runs track in the special olympics. LOL. I KNOW I'd catch up to him if I went into a full on sprint. He's 9. Come on. Now for the water, this past 4th of July I had my first real taste of my son having no fear. I was RIGHT there with him in the pool and he starts going towards the ramp that would go into deeper water. I told him NO. He looked me dead in the eyes and went for it. And slipped under. I couldn't believe it. I froze and thankfully a good friend pulled him up immediately. My son has NO fear so I can see Maddox just going for it and if no one is there to save him, he could drown. However, I also know that if my son ran, I could catch him. I might have to really run but I'd get to him. So I don't know what happened but this is a nightmare and I really hope Maddox is found quickly and safely.

 

[yrmfp]

"and theres an hour before 911 was called)

Has this been confirmed by LE?

Thanks

I can't edit my original post nor find sources beyond social media so that part may not be accurate.

 

[MAVLEY]

Has anyone heard anything about LE checking the creek? I'm not from the area but on google maps it appears that long creek runs right by the park as well.