Family of Noah Woods share emotional statement after fresh details emerge about toddler's death
Noah Woods' father, Rhys Woods, has paid tribute to his son after the three-year-old was found dead after disappearing from a playground in Suffolk.
The child had become separated from a relative after visiting a playground in Merriam Close, Brantham, on 15 September.
An inquest heard this week that the toddler left the play area 'through a gap in the fence', after which police organised a huge search.
Over 1,300 members of the local community joined in the desperate search to find Noah, who police quickly revealed was non-verbal, partially deaf and had been undergoing an assessment for autism.
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His body was discovered in a lake known locally as Decoy Pond by Met Police divers the following day.
Suffolk Police subsequently ruled that his death was not being treated as suspicious.
Sharing a message in a community Facebook group last week ahead of an inquest in Ipswich, Noah's dad Rhys described his son as the 'sweetest and most innocent little boy, with nothing but love to give'.
"We are going to miss him so very much," he added.
Another tribute issued by Noah's family called him a 'happy, cheeky, playful three-year-old boy who loved to laugh'.
"He was part of a loving and caring family, living with his mummy, daddy and his little baby brother. He was at the centre of our world," the written statement said, as per the BBC.
"Noah was being assessed for autism, although he had not received a diagnosis. He also had mild hearing loss and was speech-delayed."
The message continued: "Despite the challenges he faced, he was learning every day. He was saying new words all the time and had only just started finding and using his little voice."
Noah's mother, Charlie, also said in light of the inquest findings: "If there is one thing we could ask of people, it is to hold their children a little tighter, cherish every moment, and never take those precious memories for granted."
During the inquest, Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Connick told attendees that Noah was being 'looked after by relatives and this was part of a normal routine' on 15 September.
Connick said they walked to an under-fives play area, with CCTV footage from the park showing Noah 'playing with his relative'.
The officer said Noah 'left through a gap in the fence leading to the memorial garden where he left through an open gate', heading in the direction of Decoy Pond, but was being 'closely followed by his relative who was trying to keep up with him'.
He said the family 'shouted after' Noah, but after 200 metres, the child could not be seen.
Connick had to confirm that Noah had been found by a diver 'approximately five metres from the bank and within submerged tree roots'.
Jyoti Gill, the assistant coroner for Suffolk, said at the outset of the hearing: "I would like to express my deepest condolences to Noah’s family and friends and all those affected by Noah’s death."
Following its conclusion, she added: "The inquest is adjourned to a date to be fixed in due course. Once again, my deepest condolences."
Rhianna Benson