July 3, 2019

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

I am writing to share tragic news related to yesterday's search for a two-year-old boy who went missing near the UNT campus Tuesday afternoon. This morning, the Denton Police Department reported that the boy was found deceased in a car outside his home.

It is difficult to adequately express the sense of loss that I, and others at UNT, feel regarding the death of a young child.

I want to thank the countless volunteers who joined the Denton Police Department to conduct the search near campus last night, and I appreciate UNT Police Chief Ed Reynolds and his officers for providing assistance. The community truly came together in the hope that the young boy would be found alive and safe.

Our university family is pulling together to support the family during this trying time.

Sincerely,
Neal Smatresk
UNT President