UPDATE: 1:18 p.m. - Polk County School Superintendent sent out a statement regarding the passing of Adam Roach who was found dead in a retention pond behind his home Friday, Aug. 4.

“Adam Roach was, as we say within the district, ‘one of ours.’ He had just completed kindergarten at Roberts Elementary, and faculty and staff at the school were looking forward to seeing him when school starts next week. He was a precious child lost much too soon, and we are all grieving. He and his family are in our prayers. We will have grief counselors on site at the school on Monday and when school begins on Thursday to assist employees and students.”

--Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd

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UPDATE: 11:15 p.m. - Adam Roach's body was found in a retention pond behind his home, according to Polk Sheriff Grady Judd.

Investigators currently believe Adam walked out his home's front door, went around to the back of the house and the retention pond about 50 feet away from the home, where he drowned.

The sheriff's office has begun a death investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.


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The Polk County Sheriff's Office is currently searching for a missing and endangered 6-year-old boy first reported missing on Aug. 4.

  • Adam Roach, 6, a nonverbal, special needs child
  • Adam last seen wearing blue shirt with dinosaurs on it, no shoes
  • If you see Adam, please call 911

Deputies are searching for Adam Roach, 6, a nonverbal special needs child, at the Carlton Arms apartment complex on Shepherd Road in south Lakeland. Air and K9 units are taking part in the search.

Polk Sheriff Grady Judd told media at the scene of the search that Adam has wandered from his home before. In addition, he specified that the boy is hard of hearing, and functions like an 18-month-old child.

Judd also explained that on Aug. 3 Adam and his grandmother walked through the apartment complex, which has four retention ponds, to its swimming pool to play. Deputies at this time fear that Adam might have wandered off to try to go back to the pool or the ponds to play.

Adam was reported missing around 4 p.m. by his mother. Deputies describe him as 4'3", 37 pounds, with short brown hair and a missing front tooth.

He was last seen wearing a dark blue shirt with dinosaurs on it and dark blue shorts. He was not wearing shoes.

If you see Adam or have seen him, please call 911.