This is the story of 6-year-old Maddox Ritch who went missing from Gastonia Rankin Lake Park. Follow me on Instagram! @belowthewickedpodcast Send me an email with your case requests! [email protected] Sources for today’s Case:  Burke, M. (Nov, 29, 2018). Maddox Ritch, who disappeared from park, died from accidental drowning. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/maddox-ritch-autistic-boy-who-disappeared-park-died-accidental-drowning-n941771 Fox 5 Washington DC. (Sept. 26, 2018). "We searched everywhere": 911 call released on missing Gastonia 6-year-old. Fox 5 Washington DC. https://www.fox5dc.com/news/we-searched-everywhere-911-call-released-on-missing-gastonia-6-year-old FBI (Sept. 18, 2020). ‘Every second counts’ CARD team develops checklist to aid searches for missing autistic children. FBI. https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/fbi-checklist-aids-searches-for-missing-autistic-children-091820 Hill, E. (Sept. 28, 2018). Maddox Ritch's dad speaks out after 6-year-dld is found dead: 'please don’t make my mistake'. People. https://people.com/human-interest/maddox-ritch-dad-ian-ritch-speaks-out/ IE Staff. (Sept. 25, 2018.) Maddox Ritch: Authorities play parents’ voice recordings to aid in search for missing 6-year-old. Inside Edition. https://www.insideedition.com/maddox-ritch-authorities-play-parents-voice-recordings-aid-search-missing-6-year-old-47071 Jackson, S. (Sept. 28, 2018). Father of missing North Carolina boy says he’s a ‘broken man’ in emotional post. Today. https://www.today.com/parents/father-missing-north-carolina-boy-says-he-s-broken-man-t138442 Levins, S. (Dec. 18, 2019). ‘I just want my boy back’| Mother of Maddox Ritch shares her story for the first time. WCNC Charlotte. https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/special-reports/maddox-ritch/mother-of-maddox-ritch-reflects-on-losing-her-6-year-old-son/275-4699ce99-7698-41b7-80d3-7ec193a86ce8 Sanchez, R. (Nov. 29, 2018). An autopsy report says a missing North Carolina boy with autism likely drowned. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/29/us/maddox-ritch-autistic-boy-death/index.html WBTV. (Nov. 19, 2018). Maddox Ritch died of ‘probable drowning,’ no criminal charges expected. WBTV. https://www.wbtv.com/2018/11/29/year-old-maddox-ritch-died-drowning-autopsy-states/ Williamson, B. (Sept. 28, 2018). A closer look at where Maddox Ritch was found. WBTV. https://www.wbtv.com/2018/09/28/closer-look-where-maddox-ritch-was-found/ WSOC-TV. (Sept. 27, 2018). 911 caller says father was 'out of breath' after son disappeared at Rankin Lake Park. WSOC-TV. https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/911-call-from-rankin-lake-park-employee-released-in-case-of-missing-boy/841727004/ This episode was researched, scripted, produced, and hosted by me, Brandi. Below the Wicked Podcast is hosted by Anchor.fm and can found almost anywhere you listen to your podcasts. For a list of terms of service, privacy policy, and dmca, visit anchor.fm/tos Cover art photo by Me! Music free via anchor.fm

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