Community Mourns 2 Boys Found Deceased in Daytona Pond

The Daytona Beach community has spent the past several days mourning the loss of two young boys who were found deceased in a local pond. 5-year-old Elijah Hawkins and 3-year-old Kashh Williams were confirmed to have passed away after being found near their home. The two boys’ bodies were found on Sunday, October 11 according to the Daytona Beach Police Department. Previously the pair were the subject of a missing persons post. An announcement was made of their discovery in the early hours of Sunday morning. “The two missing children have been located deceased in a nearby pond,” the DBPD said in their official statement. “We ask that the community allow us time to continue our investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident. We also ask that everyone be mindful and respectful of the family’s privacy as they navigate this difficult time.” Hawkins and Williams were said to have been last seen in the immediate area near 1361 N Clyde Morris Boulevard. They were apparently seen walking on foot. Some reports indicate that Hawkins, the older of the two boys, was blind and autistic. The extent to which either boy was handicapped is still not definitively confirmed as of Tuesday morning. In the hours that followed the tragic passing of Hawkins and Williams, a memorial was placed near the pond where they were found. Small balloons, candles, and stuffed animals were left to honor the children’s memory.