Investigators Solve Case Surrounding Death of Missing 2-Year-Old in Colorado

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office shared new information on the death of Nain Dominguez, a toddler who went missing in Colorado Springs on March 17 and died at a nearby hospitals hours after being found on the morning of March 18. “Our Sheriff’s Office investigation is complete. There doesn’t appear to be any criminal element. It is an accidental drowning,” Jacqueline Kirby, the Office’s information officer told PEOPLE CHICA. “It’s a horrible tragedy and our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. I can’t imagine what they are going through at this time.”

A local resident told The Colorado Springs Gazette that Dominguez’s shoes were found in Fountain Creek. The boy was last seen playing with an older sibling around 5 p.m. on March 17 before he disappeared near the Stratmoor Valley Park Trailhead in Colorado Springs, Fox News reported. At 5:40 p.m., Dominguez was reported missing and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office issued an Amber alert after 9 p.m., initially stating that they were looking for a white van in connection with his disappearance. Early March 18, the alert was canceled, and the boy was found around 7 a.m.

Vicki Russell, who lives near the park, told The Denver Post the park was busy the night of March 17, when Dominguez disappeared. As it got dark that day, emergency vehicles filled the street and over 300 fire and police personnel and volunteers searched for the body. “I was hoping that he would come back okay, but he didn’t,” Russell said. “It was really sad.”

Dominguez died at a nearby hospital after attempted treatment for his injuries. “Nain Dominguez has been found and transported to a local hospital in life-threatening condition. The Sheriff’s Office is no longer looking for the white van as a vehicle of interest. We would like to thank the community and media for their assistance in getting the information out,” the Office said in a statement.

Yannel Rascon Valles, who created a GoFundMe page for Dominguez’s family to help pay for his funeral expenses, wrote: “This was an unfortunate and very devastating accident for little Nain’s entire family. Nain had a smile and personality that would put the saddest person in a great mood.”

Her message continued: “Everyone who knew Nain knew he was a very happy boy who loved to dance and would always have a bright smile on his face…. Nain filled his family with joy and knowing he wouldn’t be returning home with his family is the worst feeling in the world.”