MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The parents of an autistic five-year-old are mourning his death and seeking answers after he was reported missing and found dead in the pond of an apartment complex two weeks ago.

On April 10, first responders spent 19 hours searching for Kayden Nolen at the Residences at the Lakeview Apartments.

Kayden was found in a body of water outside the apartment complex.

“I know that us, as parents, if we would’ve been there to begin with, day one, this search wouldn’t have took as long as it took because we would’ve ended it,” said Kayden’s father Tavious Nolen. Like I told them, if necessary, I would’ve jumped in that pond to get my own baby, because that’s what a father’s duty is.”

Kayden’s parents, Tavious Nolen and Valveisha Brounson, told WREG they did not have custody of their son; however, they did whatever they could to find him.

Brounson’s mother had custody of Kayden, but when the child disappeared, she was at a dentist’s appointment, and he was being watched by other family members.

Memphis Police say the child wandered off when his aunt fell asleep.

“Sis went to sleep. Sis works a job, seven days a week, she’s been at Hershey for almost three years, so by this particular day, this particular time, she just went to sleep, but I had two other sisters that were in the house,” said the mother of Kayden, Valveisha Brounson.

Brounson claims her sisters snuck out of an apartment window that day; she believes that’s how Kayden disappeared.

The child’s parents said that the water surrounding the apartment complex is a safety hazard, especially for a child with autism.

“You have a picture-sized hole under the fence of where the land breaks off into the pond. Any baby could’ve slipped in there,” said Tavious Nolen.

Kayden’s mom said she never thought she would have to bury one of her kids, and always pictured them burying her first.

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