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MISSING CHILD: Police Search for 3-Year Old Boy With Autism Outside Walt Disney World Resort

Image divided into two sections. Left side shows a theme park with a castle and a large red "MISSING" stamp at the top. Right side shows a close-up of a young, concerned child with curly hair in a dark shirt. The scene evokes the urgency of finding the missing child at Walt Disney World.
Credit: Orange County Sheriff's Office, Nicholas Fuentes on Unsplash, Canva

In a place as magical and captivating as Walt Disney World Resort, the thought of a missing child can be a terrifying and distressing experience for any family. The vast expanse of the resort, coupled with the hustle and bustle of excited visitors, can create a challenging situation if a child becomes separated from their family.

Unfortunately, this nightmare has become a reality for one family in search of their missing three-year-old son. Deputies in Orange County have desperately begun the search for the boy, who went missing not far from the entrance to Walt Disney World Resort.

Related: Lost Child Located at Walt Disney World; Shocking Details Emerge

wdw night cinderella castle

Credit: Jayme McColgan on Unsplash

Police Ask for Help in Rescue Effort

Deputies in Orange County are intensifying their search efforts for a missing 3-year-old boy with autism, who was last seen near Disney World. The young child’s disappearance has prompted a widespread effort to locate him, with authorities and volunteers combing the area around the popular theme park.

The situation is particularly challenging due to the boy’s autism, which can make communication and understanding difficult in high-stress situations. As the search continues, the community remains on high alert, hoping for a swift and safe resolution to this concerning incident.

The child’s name is Rakin Akbari, but he also goes by “Tuda.” Rakim is black, with black hair and brown eyes, and is 2′ tall. When he went missing this morning, he was wearing a white pajama pants and a maroon shirt.

A young child with curly hair wearing a black Nike t-shirt stands indoors, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression. The background appears to have a reflective, patterned surface with blue and purple lighting, reminiscent of the vibrant settings at Walt Disney World.

Credit: Orange County Sheriff’s Office

Have You Seen Rakim?

According to the Orange County Sherriff’s Office, Rakim went missing after he wandered away from a resort located at the 8800 block of Palm Village Circle near State Road 535 and World Center Drive.

With thousands of visitors in this area due to its proximity to Walt Disney World Resort, deputies are hoping that someone will see Rakim. If you have any information, please call 911 immediately. A post from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office states:

“MISSING CHILD: We need your help locating 3-year-old Rakim Akbari, who wandered away from a resort in the 8800 block of Palm Village Circle this morning (7/18). That is near State Road 535 and World Center Drive.
Rakim, who also goes by “Tuda,” has autism, and there is extreme concern for his well-being. He was wearing white pajama pants and a maroon shirt when he was last seen this morning.
Please share, and if you see Rakim, call 911 immediately.”
A tweet from the Orange County Sheriff's Office about a missing three-year-old child named Rakim Akbari. He has autism and wandered off from a resort near Walt Disney World. Rakim was last seen wearing white pajama pants and a maroon shirt. Please contact 911 immediately if seen.

Credit: Orange County Sheriff’s Office

For now, the community hopes that Rakim can soon be reunited with his family. As a reminder, it is essential to call the police at 911 or notify a nearby Disney cast member if you notice a young child alone at Walt Disney World Resort or its surrounding areas.

About Eva Miller

Eva was born and raised in the beautiful state of Oregon but has since relocated and lives in New York City. Since she was young, Eva has loved to perform in musicals, especially Disney ones! Through performing, Disney’s music became the soundtrack of her childhood. Today, Eva loves to write about all the exciting happenings for the Walt Disney Company. In her free time, Eva loves to travel, spend time in nature, and go to Broadway shows. Her favorite Disney movie is 'Lilo and Stitch,' and her favorite Park is Disney's Animal Kingdom.