On Thursday morning, a search was initiated for Rakim Akbari, a 3-year-old boy with autism, who was reported to have wandered away from the Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas at Lake Buena Vista in Orlando, as per a post from the Orange County Sheriff's Office (OCSO). Officials have expressed "extreme concern" for his wellbeing. According to a report by WESH, Akbari was last seen in white, green, and red pajama pants along with a maroon shirt.
Measuring two feet tall, and weighing 45 pounds, Rakim has black hair and brown eyes. He was noted to be shoeless with no socks on at the time of disappearance, a detail which, has prompted authorities to urge the public to inspect nearby waters and waterways, as per information obtained by ABC Action News. Rakim, who is also known by the nickname "Tuda," has limited verbal communication but may respond to this nickname.
The search area includes the vicinity of the resort, located near State Road 535 and World Center Drive, a region not far from Disney's theme parks, suggesting a high volume of visitors and foot traffic which could potentially assist in locating the child. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has broadcasted a missing child alert and is coordinating with local authorities to amplify the search efforts, according to a briefing from the ClickOrlando.
The community has been implored to join the search; for anyone spotting Akbari or possessing information about his whereabouts, immediate contact should be made to the Orlando County Sheriff's Office at 407-836-4357 or by calling 901.
