Police believe they have found the body of Omarion “Mars” Humphrey, a 9-year-old boy with autism. He had been missing for five days and his disappearance set off a massive search, which ended tragically today.
The 9-year-old autistic boy had been living in abject poverty with his eight siblings just months ago, while his neglectful biological parents enjoyed the comforts of a clean apartment away from their children, according to court records.
Rescue crews found the child’s body in the water in Lake Callis, Michigan, this afternoon following a comprehensive search that spanned air, land, and water.
Omarion vanished near the lake on July 4. He had been visiting the Lake Callis Recreation Area with his foster family in a “fenced-in splash pad,” according to MLive.
The boy was last seen walking toward the water at 5:09 p.m., just 50 feet from where his foster family was enjoying a picnic. At 6 p.m., he was reported missing to the police. The FBI, along with helicopters, bloodhounds, and horses were all used in the search.
Before being removed from his former home by Child Protective Services and placed with a foster family, Omarion was “sleeping on the floor in a trash-ridden home without adult supervision, wore dirty clothes that didn’t fit and had poor hygiene,” according to court records obtained by MLive.
“Omarion wears adult clothes held up by a belt and wears shoes with no soles. Omarion’s teacher provides Omarion clothing that he changes into before class starts in the morning. Omarion is frequently bullied by his peers due to poor hygiene and for body odor. In the past, school personnel have had to give Omarion sponge baths due to his overwhelming body odor and hygiene,” court documents said.
Omarion was removed from the home on February 23.
His parents pleaded no contest to having their children removed from the house and placed in temporary foster care. Police report they were being cooperative during the investigation.