Community holds vigil for 4-year-old Ormond Beach boy found dead in Central Park lake

Monday night's vigil included a prayer, a moment of silence and the singing of 'Amazing Grace.' Family friends also played music from Waylon's favorite movie, Disney's 'Soul.'

  • By Jarleene Almenas
  • | 8:00 a.m. November 19, 2024
  • | Updated 10:45 a.m. November 20, 2024
  • Ormond Beach Observer
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Ormond Beach residents came together on Monday night at Central Park to honor the memory of Waylon Childs, the 4-year-old boy who died Sunday after going missing at the park. 

Neighbors organized the vigil for the family of the Ormond Beach boy, whose body was recovered from the lake Sunday night. Ormond Beach Police reported that Waylon went missing at the park, located at 601 Fleming Ave., around 11:45 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17. Waylon, who was autistic and non-verbal, had been at the park with his father and two siblings, all under the age of 5, when he went missing. 

The vigil included a prayer, a moment of silence and the singing of "Amazing Grace." Family friends also played music from Waylon's favorite movie, Disney's "Soul." A memorial was established on the park's floating dock. 

"Our world has been shattered, and we are struggling to come to terms with the loss of our sweet boy, whose presence in our lives brought us so much love," his parents, Kristin Scarborough and Scott Childs, wrote in a GoFundMe page. "Waylon had an incredible energy that filled every room he entered. He was always on the move, full of life and wonder, constantly exploring the world with bright eyes and a boundless curiosity. He was a little soul full of innocence and sweet affection, and his light will forever shine in our hearts."

The parents stated they are also starting a campaign to honor their son's memory and ensure all parks with bodies of water have fencing around playgrounds. Their goal, they wrote, is to prevent a similar tragedy from happening to other families. 

Almost $7,000 have been raised for the family on the above listed GoFundMe. A second GoFundMe page, organized by a family friend, has raised almost $4,000. Funds will help the family with their ongoing expenses in the wake of Waylon's death, as well as go toward their fencing campaign. A local funeral home is covering the cost of Waylon's funeral.

In a statement released by OBPD, Police Chief Jesse Godfrey thanked the community for their help in the search, which lasted almost nine hours and involved officers with OBPD, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office and other neighboring cities' departments.

“This is a heartbreaking tragedy, and our hearts are with Waylon’s family during this unimaginable loss,” Godfrey said. “We would like to thank the community and all the agencies involved for their support and efforts during this search. The Ormond Beach Police Department remains committed to standing with the family and our community in the days ahead.”

At the Ormond Beach City Commission meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 19, the city held a moment of silence in memory of Waylon.

“Losing a child is an unimaginable, heartbreaking event and our hearts are heavy as we share in the grief and sorrow felt by Waylon’s family,” City Manager Joyce Shanahan said.

The city is committed to preserving Waylon’s memory, she added. They will consult the family to understand their wishes, and options such as adding fencing or creating a memorial are on the table.

“The tragedy also reminds us of the importance of unity and the strength we draw from standing together as a community,” Shanahan said.

 

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