Maddox Ritch: Community of Gastonia holds vigil for 6-year-old

GASTONIA, N.C. (WTVD) -- Following the devastating announcement that police believe they found the body of 6-year-old Maddox Ritch, the community is mourning.

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Families gathered Thursday night to pray for the boy, who had autism and was nonverbal.

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Investigators believe they found the boy's body Thursday afternoon, a little more than one mile from where his father had last seen him.

Investigators said the child was partially submerged in a creek, but that it was too soon to tell if foul play was involved.

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The medical examiner's office will conduct an autopsy to identify the body.

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