The pond near Forest Hills Drive is now being drained inch by inch as part of a desperate effort to locate seven-year-old Liam King, who has been missing since Sunday morning.
Liam’s fascination with water, which has always been a part of his personality due to his autism and cognitive impairments, has become a potentially deadly factor in his disappearance.
Authorities fear that his intense curiosity about water sources could have led him into danger, making the ongoing search even more urgent and delicate.
On September 7, 2025, Liam wandered away from a family member’s home in Asheboro, North Carolina, around 11 a.m. His mother, Brenda Victoria King, shared with investigators that Liam doesn’t typically wander far from home or family, but water has always been a magnetic force for him.
His nonverbal communication and cognitive impairments make it difficult to determine exactly what drew him toward the pond or where he might have gone.
His tendency to move quickly and unpredictably through the dense woods surrounding the area complicates the search efforts, as rescuers try to piece together his possible routes and hiding spots.
Liam is described as approximately 3 feet 5 inches tall, weighing about 55 pounds. On the day he disappeared, he was wearing a light blue, black, and gray Nike sweatshirt paired with black sweatpants.
His distinctive clothing helps search teams identify him in the rugged terrain, which is filled with thick undergrowth, trees, and water hazards.
Despite the challenging environment, hundreds of searchers—local law enforcement, volunteers, and specialized rescue teams—are meticulously combing every trail, creek, and concealed area in their efforts to find him.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the FBI joined the search effort on Monday, bringing federal resources to Asheboro. Their involvement underscores how critical every minute is in this race against time, as Sheriff Robert Seabolt emphasizes.
He describes the case as a “race against time,” highlighting the vulnerability of a nonverbal child with autism who could be anywhere in the vast, difficult terrain.
The combined efforts of local agencies and federal responders aim to cover as much ground as possible while ensuring Liam’s safety.
One of the most pressing concerns is Liam’s fascination with water. Authorities are working tirelessly to drain and search the pond, carefully removing water in small amounts to avoid disturbing potential evidence or missing him in the process.
The pond’s water level is being lowered inch by inch, with divers and rescue teams prepared to dive if necessary. This painstaking process underscores just how much the search teams are doing to ensure no stone is left unturned.
The community and Liam’s family are holding their collective breath, praying for his safe return. His mother’s heartfelt hope is that Liam will find his way back to safety, uninjured and unharmed.
Her concern is compounded by the fact that Liam, being nonverbal and with cognitive impairments, cannot communicate what happened or where he might be hiding.
This heartbreaking situation serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by children with special needs, especially in wooded or water-rich environments.
As the search continues into a second day, the hope remains that Liam’s curiosity will lead him back to familiar, safe ground—where he can be reunited with his family and community. Every effort, every resource, and every prayer is focused on one thing: bringing Liam home.
