BRYTON CASON - 4 yo - Donalsonville GA

Missing 4-year-old found dead in his front yard

Posted: Sep 06, 2012 6:43 AM CDT
Updated: Sep 06, 2012 10:26 AM CDT
By Ryan Houston

DONALSONVILLE, GA - The autopsy of a missing 4-year-old Seminole County boy will let authorities know how he died. Bryton Cason was first reported missing last night, and then his body was found hours later in the front yard of his home.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents say Cason's body was found with several bruises. "Right now we're treating this as a possible homicide," said GBI Agent Steve Turner.

GBI Agents say his mother, Samantha Roland, reported four-year-old son Bryton Cason missing from 7986 Akron Drive. Police began the search around 8:30 Wednesday night.

Five law enforcement agencies went door to door and throughout the area hoping to find the child. State Patrol even used a helicopter.

"We talked to neighbors to find out what happened to the child or where the child was. We were hoping we could find the child," said Turner.

First they found his shirt and then his body. Authorities say Cason's body was found just before 11:30, in the front yard of his home.

Cason's body had several bruises on it, according to authorities. They say Samantha Roland was inside their home when deputies found her son's body in the front yard.

"By that time it was already dark and the grass was high. It took awhile for somebody to come walking upon him and actually see him in the yard," said Turner.

An autopsy has been schedule for today. No one has been charged at this time. Look for updates on this story at walb.com

http://www.walb.com/story/19470723/missing-4-year-old-found-dead-in-his-front-yard

UPDATE: GA 4-year-old killed in dog attack

DONALSONVILLE, GA - Georgia Bureau of
Investigation Agent Steve Turner says 4-year-old Brayton Cason died of
blunt force trauma from a dog attack.
They are still investigating who the dog may belong to, but they are no longer investigating the death as a homicide.

Brayton Cason was first reported
missing Wednesday night, and then his body was found hours later in the
front yard of his home.

GBI Agents say his mother, Samantha Roland,
reported four-year-old Brayton Cason missing from 7986 Acorn Drive.
Police began the search around 8:30 Wednesday night.

Five law enforcement agencies went door to
door and throughout the area hoping to find the child. State Patrol
even used a helicopter.

"We talked to neighbors to find out what
happened to the child or where the child was. We were hoping we could
find the child," said Turner.

First they found his shirt and then his body.
Authorities say Cason's body was found just before 11:30, in the front
yard of his home.

Cason's body had several bruises on it, according to authorities.

"By that time it was already dark and the
grass was high. It took a while for somebody to come walking upon him
and actually see him in the yard," said Turner.

Brayton Cason's mother, Samantha Roland, reported him missing around 8:30 Wednesday night.

"His mother jumped in the shower while his
aunt and uncle, it would have been his great aunt and uncle, was
watching him and apparently he wandered outside. In a ten minute span
the dog attacked him," said Cason's Aunt Tabitha Smith.

After about a three hour search, Brayton's bruised body was found in the front yard of his home.

"Our family would like to thank all of law
enforcement, rescue teams, volunteers, local and non local. And all the
prayers that were sent up," said Smith.

Smith says knowing her nephew's cause of
death does not bring her family any closure. "I don't see where you can
have resolution when it comes to a four-year old child. There is no
closure for that."

Smith has a message for dog owners. "If you
have a vicious dog please, please keep it away from other people and
where it cannot get out and that way this tragic accident does not have
to happen to another family like it has ours."

The GBI says there were no witnesses on the scene who would be able to determine what kind of dog killed the young boy.
http://www.wlbt.com/story/19470723/update-ga-4-year-old-killed-in-dog-attack