Missing Manatee Co. boy, 7, found dead in retention pond

[Image courtesy Bay News 9]

PARRISH -- The body of a missing autistic boy was found in a retention pond behind his home Wednesday, the Bradenton Herald reports.

Thomas Pinkum, 7, was last seen about 4:45 p.m. Wednesday. The search drew dozens of Manatee County sheriff's deputies and hundreds of volunteers from the family's Parrish neighborhood.

Divers found his body about 20 feet into a retention pond behind the family's Parrish home about 8:20 p.m.

Thomas, who was reportedly legally blind, could only see about 6 to 8 feet in front of him. He was attracted to music, water and bright lights, the Herald reports.

- Casey Cora, Times staff writer