Body of missing 3-year-old vulnerable boy found in Mississauga: Peel police

A Peel Regional Police spokesperson says the body of a three-year-old boy was found in Mississauga Friday afternoon.

“This is a tragedy and we want to support the family as best as we can,” 11 Division Supt. Josh Colley told reporters Friday evening.

“This is very tough for everybody involved.”

Three-year-old Zaid Abdullah, described by officers as a vulnerable child who may have been non-verbal, was last seen just before 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at Erindale Park, near Mississauga Road and Dundas Street West.

The boy’s mother, Eslam Adam, told CityNews the family recently arrived in Canada and are new to Mississauga. Adam, who is pregnant with her second child, said the family was at the playground when Zaid suddenly disappeared.

“I’m so scared. I’m so nervous. I don’t know… I’m not good,” she told reporters Friday afternoon.

Peel Regional Police officers brought in specialized units from the service, members of the Toronto police mounted unit, paramedics and firefighters to conduct a methodical search of the area which includes the Credit River.

CityNews saw a police helicopter and a drone repeatedly fly over Erindale Park late Thursday and into early Friday while officers blocked the entrance to the darkened ravine and park.

For most of Friday afternoon, the focus was on a dam in the Credit River near the playground where Zaid was last seen. Dive teams were in the water and heavy machinery was brought in to clear away the debris that gathered after recent storms.

Colley said it was roughly in this area where Abdullah was found dead in the water at around 5:40 p.m.

“His family has since been notified and we’re working to provide them as much support as necessary during this horrific time. We ask for privacy and respect the family’s wishes,” he said.

Police officers noted there was nothing to indicate foul play was involved. A coroner was called to the scene to assist with the investigation.

Community members showed support in Mississauga during search

Several members of the public could be seen arriving at the scene late Thursday and throughout Friday offering to help with the search. Officers said there was no need for additional help on the ground at this time.

Brampton resident Jameel Khalid said he heard about the missing boy through a social media feed and drove to the scene to offer to help. He said he was concerned an Amber Alert wasn’t issued.

“It kept bothering me for the rest of the evening … I have kids of my own … my spirit moved me to come and see if I could be of any assistance, but when I came the officer told me they have enough resources,” Khalid told reporters.

“As a parent, you know it’s somebody’s child, and you feel it. There’s a … three-year-old child in the bush, could be stuck somewhere, could be a whole number of different things, and it didn’t sit well with me, and I felt the need to come and see if I could render any kind of assistance.

“I don’t know how many more (crews) are inside there, but I would want more. I would want more to be out looking for this child.”

In Ontario, an Amber Alert can be requested of the OPP if the following guidelines are met: Officers believe the child has been abducted, the child is in imminent danger (risk of bodily harm or death) if broadcasting the alert will help find the child and if there are one or more descriptions (of the child, one if there’s a suspected abductor and/or the vehicle).

During the update Friday evening, Colley thanked residents for their assistance.

“We understand the profound impact this has had on the community,” he said.