Florida deputies search for missing Haitian Special Olympics soccer team members
ORLANDO, Fla. — The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the disappearance of several members of the Haitian Special Olympics soccer team participating in this year’s USA Games.
Antione Joseph Mithon, Nicholson Fontilus, Peter Mianovich Berlus, Anderson Petit-Frere, Steevenson Jacquet and Oriol Jean were last seen Monday around 2:30 p.m. Eastern time at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, according to the sheriff’s office.
Special Olympics USA Games released a statement to WFTV saying five of the adults are not Special Olympics athletes, and the sixth is an adult with an intellectual disability.
“The well-being of these delegates is our foremost concern,” Special Olympics USA Games said in an email to WFTV. “Local authorities have indicated they have no reason to believe the health and safety of any of the individuals is at risk. To expand the reach and effectiveness of law enforcement’s efforts to locate these individuals, they have been reported as missing persons.”
A news release states they all turned in their room keys and left behind their personal bags and belongings.
The sheriff's office is asking anyone with information on their whereabouts to contact the Persons Crimes Unit at (321) 697-4546.
“At this time, we believe this is an isolated event and do not suspect foul play,” the release said.
The agency said it is working with Walt Disney World, the Special Olympics and federal partners to search for the missing members.
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