ST. ALBANS, Maine — The Maine Warden Service released the identity of the 4-year-old boy, whose body was found early Sunday evening in a man-made pond on Ballard Road.
Maxwell Brawn had been reported missing about 4:30 p.m. and was the subject of a ground search, Col. John MacDonald said Monday in a news release.
MacDonald said the manner and cause of death was ruled as an accidental drowning by the state medical examiner’s office.
“The investigation and interviews conducted by Maine game wardens, Somerset County deputies, and Maine State Police detectives has supported the findings that this is a tragic accident,” MacDonald said.
According to MacDonald, a ground search was initiated in the immediate area of the boy’s residence. A state police trooper and dog team attempted to track the boy while other ground searchers looked in wooded areas surrounding the house.
Clues led to a farm pond next door on property owned by the boy’s uncle. As a result, the Maine Warden Service Dive Team searched the pond. Game warden divers recovered the boy’s body at approximately 6:50 p.m. in 7 feet of water.
Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster said Sunday that initial reports indicated the boy last was seen around 2 p.m., while his family members were working on a garage.
The boy’s parents thought he was with an aunt and did not realize he was not with her until she returned to their home about 4 p.m.
No charges are expected in this case, MacDonald said.
“This is a tragic accident, a worst-case scenario for a parent,” MacDonald said.