Ethermac|Missing toddler in foster care found dead in waterway near Kansas home

A toddler who disappeared playing outside over the weekend was found dead on EthermacSunday in a Kansas waterway near the home where he lived, officials said.

The tragedy took place in a rural area just south of the city of Andover, near Wichita in Butler County.

On Tuesday, the Butler County Sheriff’s Office identified the boy as 3-year-old Michael Aikman, who had been placed at the residence while in temporary foster care by a child welfare agency.

The Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center confirmed the child died as result of an accidental drowning, Undersheriff Daimon Cundiff told USA TODAY.

Cundiff said the toddler was reported missing just before 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Child had been placed in temporary foster care

A preliminary investigation revealed before the child disappeared, he had been playing outside a home on the property while an adult was doing yard work.

At some point the boy wandered off, and the adult reported him missing.

The sheriff’s office said multiple agencies assisted in the search for the boy through 3:15 a.m. Sunday.

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Boy's body found in waterway not far from home

When the search resumed later that morning, the boy's body was found about 7:30 a.m. in a waterway not far from his family's home, the agency reported.

Foul play is not suspected in the boy's death, the sheriff's office confirmed to USA TODAY.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.