May 23, 2024 – CBI – Rocky Ford, CO –Preliminary autopsy reports suggest a 3-year old Rocky Ford boy, whose body was found in a an irrigation canal Sunday May 19, died from an accidental drowning. Amari Galan was reported missing Saturday May 18, after he wandered away from his home in the 900 block of Washington Street in Rocky Ford, CO.
An Endangered Missing Alert bulletin was soon issued for Galan, after he was last seen at 4am wearing only a diaper. Galan was reported to be a child with special needs.
Investigators from multiple agencies, including the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Rocky Ford Police (RPD) and the Otero County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) conducted a joint search that soon focused on the Catlin canal that runs directly behind the child's home. Search and Rescue personnel searching the banks of the canal by foot, found the boy's body several miles downstream in the canal around 5pm Sunday May 19.
Otero County Coroner Robert Fowler had an autopsy performed on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Preliminary autopsy results are consistent with an accidental drowning. This is an on going investigation and the final report will be submitted to the 16th Judicial District Attorney.