Orlando Police Investigates Six Missing Members of Haiti’s Special Olympics Delegation
Orlando authorities are investigating the disappearance of six Black men scheduled to be at the Special Olympics USA Games as members of Haiti’s Special Olympics delegation.
According to CBS News, the men, ages 18 to 32, were in town to attend the competition on June 5 but were discovered missing after each turned in their hotel room keys at about 2:30 pm local time on Monday. The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office posted a bulletin on Facebook detailing the mysterious vanishing.
The sheriff’s office revealed that Atione Joseph Mithon, 32; Nicholson Fontilus, 20; Peter Mianovich Berlus, 19; Anderson Petit-Frere, 18; Steevenson Jacquet, 24; and Oriol Jean, 18, had left behind their bags and belongings at the lodging, per the outlet.
However, authorities do not suspect foul play, calling the disappearance an “isolated incident.”
A representative for the Special Olympics confirmed that the group included “one Special Olympics athlete, one coach, and four Unified partners, all of whom are adults,” PEOPLE reported.
The men were last seen at 710 S. Victory Way in Kissimmee near the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, where some of the 2022 Special Olympics events are being held.
In a detailed statement, the Special Olympics organization said, “The well-being of these delegates is our foremost concern. Local authorities have indicated they have no reason to believe the health and safety of any of the individuals is at risk,” as per the Shaderoom.
“To expand the reach and effectiveness of law enforcement’s efforts to locate these individuals, they have been reported as missing persons,” the statement continued.
While the investigation is underway, the sheriff’s office said it is in communication with Walt Disney World, the Special Olympics, and other local and federal law enforcement agencies.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
The 2022 Special Olympics will continue through to June 12 in Orlando.