Local News
Help find missing 5-year-old Jace Saunders in Tavares, Florida
Jace is approximately 3 feet tall, semi-verbal, and has been diagnosed with autism, further heightening concerns for his safety.
Tavares, FL – Authorities are urgently requesting the public’s assistance in locating 5-year-old Jace Saunders, who has been reported missing and is considered endangered.
Jace was last seen at approximately 1:19 PM today in the Southside area of Tavares, near Summerall Park.
According to officials, he was wearing dark blue long pajamas with a graphic design on the front, as depicted in a recently released photo.
Jace is approximately 3 feet tall, semi-verbal, and has been diagnosed with autism, further heightening concerns for his safety.
Investigators believe Jace may be with his grandmother, Kelly Dasilva, and could be traveling in a black Honda Accord or an unidentified passenger car.
Initial findings indicate Jace was possibly taken unlawfully by a family member amid an active Department of Children and Families (DCF) investigation.
Law enforcement officials remain on-site, actively investigating the circumstances of Jace’s disappearance.
The most recent photo of Jace, taken shortly before he went missing, has been circulated to aid in his identification.
Authorities emphasize the importance of immediate action in locating Jace and urge anyone with information on his whereabouts or details about the black Honda Accord to contact law enforcement without delay.
Please reference Case Number T24120625 when providing tips or information. Every second is critical in ensuring Jace’s safe return.
Local News
29-Year-Old Alex Rodriguez Found Dead on University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, No Foul Play Suspected
URBANA, Ill. — A 29-year-old Champaign man found dead on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus Monday morning has been identified as Alex C. Rodriguez, according to the Champaign County Coroner’s Office.
The University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD) responded to the area of Green and Wright streets at approximately 6:42 a.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive person near the Alma Mater statue.
Officers arrived and found Rodriguez on a concrete bench. Emergency medical assistance was requested at the scene.
The Champaign County Coroner’s Office responded, and Rodriguez was pronounced dead at approximately 7:16 a.m., according to Coroner Laurie Brauer.
Authorities said Rodriguez was not affiliated with the University of Illinois.
UIPD provided an update Monday afternoon, saying preliminary observations at the scene revealed no signs of foul play.
Police also said there was no evidence of an ongoing threat to the university campus or surrounding community based on the information available when officers responded.
Because investigators did not identify an active threat, the university did not issue an Illini-Alert emergency notification.
The circumstances surrounding Rodriguez’s death have not been determined.
An autopsy has been scheduled, and the death remains under investigation by the University of Illinois Police Department.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances leading to Rodriguez’s death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected as investigators receive further information from the autopsy and other evidence.
No foul play has been indicated based on the preliminary investigation.