ST. CLOUD — St. Cloud police say the body of a missing boy with special needs has been found in the Mississippi River.

Authorities say 6-year-old Hamza Elmi walked away from his home and was last seen about 8:30 p.m. Thursday in St. Cloud. The boy’s pink scooter was found at the river about 8 a.m. Friday and a water search was launched.

Police Chief William Blair Anderson said at a news conference Friday “our worst nightmare has come to fruition and a family is without a child.”

Community members and police had searched throughout the night for the boy.