Florida Brothers, 3 and 5, Found Dead in Pond After Sneaking Out While Mother Napped

A family’s worst nightmare unfolded in Florida after two young brothers, aged three and five, left their apartment and were later found dead in a nearby pond. Police believe the incident was accidental as investigators examine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

Two young brothers, aged three and five, have been found dead in a pond near their Florida apartment after reportedly leaving home while their mother was napping. Police suspect accidental drowning.

Two young brothers, aged three and five, have been found dead in a pond near their family’s apartment complex in Daytona Beach, Florida, after reportedly leaving their home while their mother was taking a nap.

The boys, identified as three-year-old Kashh and five-year-old Elijah, were reported missing on Saturday, October 10, 2026. Their bodies were later discovered in a nearby pond, according to the Daytona Beach Police Department.

Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young said investigators believe the incident was accidental, adding that there was no indication of foul play.

Young also disclosed that Elijah had autism, noting that some children with autism may be particularly attracted to water, which can increase the risk of accidental drowning.

Describing the incident as a devastating loss, the police chief said the deaths of both children would be a parent’s worst nightmare.

“This is your greatest nightmare – to lose both of your children in that fashion,” Young said.

According to Young, the boys’ mother, who is raising the children alone, fed them at about 5 p.m. on Saturday before lying down for a short nap.

About 15 minutes later, she woke up and discovered that both boys and the family dog had left the apartment.

The police chief said the apartment door had a child safety lock, but investigators believe the children managed to work their way past the lock and get outside.

“She does have a child safety lock on the door, so apparently, they figured out how to navigate that child safety lock, and they exited the apartment,” Young explained.

Police said surveillance footage showed the boys running around before entering the pond. The footage reportedly captured their mother coming outside shortly afterwards to search for them.

Young said the available video evidence suggested that the children had already submerged in the water by the time their mother came outside.

“She was trying to do her due diligence to see if she could locate the children before calling 911,” he said.

“But by then, based on what we can see now on the surveillance video, they were already submerged in the water.”

Although investigators believe the deaths were accidental, the case has been referred to the State Attorney’s Office to determine whether any charges should be filed against the children’s mother.

Meanwhile, some residents of the apartment complex have called for improved safety measures around the pond, including fencing or other protective barriers, to help prevent similar tragedies.

The incident has renewed concerns about children’s safety around bodies of water, particularly in residential areas where ponds may be easily accessible.