BUTLER COUNTY—Investigators have released the name of the 3-year-old whose body was found in a Kansas waterway over the weekend as Michael Aikman, according to Butler County Undersheriff Daimon Cundiff. His cause of death was confirmed as an accidental drowning, according to the Sedgwick County Regional Forensics Science Center.
A child welfare agency placed the boy into temporary foster care with relatives at a rural Kansas home, according to Cundiff.
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Just before 7p.m. Saturday, deputies with the Butler County Sheriff's office responded to the 12000 Block of SW. Prairie Creek Road just outside of Andover after a report of a missing 3-year-old boy, according to Cundiff.
First responders found the property to be large with a combination of timber and waterways. Multiple agencies responded to help with the search including water rescue from the August Department of Public Safety.
The initial report indicated the boy was playing outside the residence while an adult was present and doing yard work. The child wandered off but was still believed to be on the property. A search of the area included the water, drones, divers and K9s continued until just after 3a.m. Sunday.
Just after 7:30a.m. Sunday, shortly after the search began again, the body of the boy was found in a waterway not far from the residence on the property.
Authorities believe this is an accidental drowning. An autopsy will determine the specific cause of death, according to Cundiff. There is no suspicion of foul play. The child is a family member of the residents but not their child.