A 3-year-old boy in Alaska was discovered dead Wednesday morning after wandering away from his home, according to officials.
The Alaska Department of Public Safety reported that the boy went missing overnight after wandering away from his Cordova home.
The boy was eventually identified as Leonardo “Leo” Hackley.
Jade Hackley, Leo’s mother, described him as an adventurous boy who was joyful, funny, and a bright light to everyone he knew.
Hackley stated that Leo was unforgettable and had a significant impact on everyone around him.
“We believe he might have grown up to be a doctor, an engineer, an architect, log cabin builder, or a chef,” Hackley told me.
The U.S. Coast Guard, Forest Service, and other local agencies searched for the boy until his body was discovered shortly after 6 a.m. Monday near the shore in an urban area of town.
“He got out the house after bed the night he went missing, we believe he put his [Xtratuf] boots on, unlocked the door, and went out exploring,” Hackley told me. “When we noticed he had left the house, we immediately began looking for him and had the entire town looking. But we still couldn’t find him in time to get him home safely.”
Hackley stated that her son enjoyed collecting rocks and believes he was curious about the rocks by the shore near their home, which is why he wandered away.
“At some point the water took him, and we are devastated that we couldn’t find him in time,” she told me.
Hackley described Leo as a miracle child for her. After multiple miscarriages, she gave birth to the blue-eyed, curly-haired boy, whom she described as bringing her great joy and hope.
Despite being born in Michigan, Hackley said Leo enjoyed living in Alaska and embraced the outdoors.
She said he enjoyed hiking, berry picking, and exploring.
“It was pouring rain on our first day off the plane after moving here from [Michigan]. “Leo put his arms up to the sky and yelled ‘woooo’ and just cherished it,” Hackley said.
Leo’s mother also stated that he was a good older brother to her other son, Hudson. She said he enjoyed sharing toys with his brother and helping to feed him.
“Leonardo was a wise child, far beyond his years,” Hackley explained. “We did our best to teach him and nurture him, yet even though he was only 3 years old, he taught us so much more.”
The State Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of Leo’s death.
Reference: 3-year-old boy found dead after wandering away from home, officials say