Estella Acree said she and her middle son, Christopher Harrington, had a very special relationship. Since he was born with Downs Syndrome, Harrington spent all of his time with his mother and siblings. Ms. Acree is President of the Rainbow Heights Neighborhood Association.

On Tuesday, Harrington was riding in the backseat of his caregiver’s car when the driver stopped to pick kumquats from a tree. When the caregiver returned to the car, Harrington was missing. He searched the area without any luck, then called 9-1-1.

Police searched for Harrington and reported finding his sandal near South River Boulevard Wednesday morning. His body was discovered a half-hour later in the Hillsborough River. He was 38 years old.

Ms. Acree said she wasn’t surprised that he wound up in the water.

Ms. Acree has contacted Harmon’s Funeral Home to help the family with arrangements for a service.