Gastonia Charlotte

In an instant, it seemed, Maddox Ritch had disappeared. The 6-year-old boy, who has autism, was walking with his father and another person Saturday at Rankin Lake Park in Gastonia, near Charlotte, North Carolina, when he took off running, his parents later told police.

In an instant, it seemed, Maddox Ritch had disappeared. The 6-year-old boy, who has autism, was walking with his father and another person Saturday at Rankin Lake Park in Gastonia, near Charlotte, North Carolina, when he took off running, his parents later told police.