Coos County boy, 5, died from hypothermia

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Joshua McCoy, the 5-year-old boy with autism who was found dead less than two miles from his home about three days after he disappeared, died from hypothermia, the Coos County Sheriff's Office said.

Hypothermia "is the lowering of the body temperature when exposed to the outside elements," the sheriff's office said in a release. "Elements of the autopsy are still being analyzed, and a final report has not been issued."

His mother reported Joshua missing on the evening of November 9. She said she and Joshua took a nap at their home on Stage Road in Hauser around 1 p.m. and when she woke up at 5:30 p.m. he was missing.

The first call to authorities was at 6:27 p.m. and the first searchers arrived around 6:45 p.m. Investigators learned Joshua had a cellphone, but a phone ping “did not provide any fruitful information.”

The investigation continued after Joshua's body was found. Authorities said Joshua's phone provided digital evidence "which led investigators to reasonably believe that Joshua had walked away from the home while (his mother) Ms. German was sleeping. Although there are still laboratory results which have not been received, the evidence is now pointing to these articulable facts."

The Coos County Sheriff's Office said they mourn Joshua and that the investigation continues. "It is as important for investigators to prove innocence of involved parties as it is to prove guilt," they said.

KOIN 6 News will follow this story for any updates and more information.