The family of a four-year-old who was found dead in a pond have paid tribute to the "beautiful, happy and healthy little boy".
Ifan Owen-Jones had been playing in a sand pit near his family home in Crymych, Pembrokeshire when he went missing on August 7.
Emergency services were called to the property as his family became concerned over his whereabouts.
After a search of the area, he was found unresponsive in a pond and pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
An inquest hearing into his death took place on Friday morning, reports Wales Online.
His family said yesterday: "Ifan was a beautiful, happy, healthy little boy. He had his struggles with some things due to being autistic but he was amazing at other things.
"He loved the alphabet, counting and colours. He would watch Fireman Sam over and over. He loved climbing on anything he could find.
"His iPad (diamond) was his safety blanket, it went everywhere with him.
"Everyone who met Ifan fell in love with him, everyone adored him. He was and always will be our special little boy.
"We are so lost without him, Ifan was our world. We are all truly broken.
"We as a family are truly overwhelmed with the support, kindness and generosity we have received from our family, friends, local community and even people we don’t even know.
"We would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts."
Gareth Lewis, assistant coroner for Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, officially opened an inquest into his death.
Coroner’s officer Hayley Rogers said police received a call from the Welsh Ambulance Service at roughly 5.30pm on August 7 to attend a property in Blaenffos.
She said: “It was established that Ifan had been heard playing in a sand pit close to the family home.
"When Ifan could not be seen, a search of the grounds ensued and he was found unresponsive in a natural pond. Despite best efforts to resuscitate him, he was declared deceased at 8.40pm.
"Police have launched a full investigation, with ongoing enquiries.”
Proceedings were adjourned to a later date, which is yet to be decided.
A GoFundMe page has now been set up to help towards funeral costs, raising £7,400 at the time of writing.
The organiser said Ifan "loved fire trucks and the colour blue" and was "enjoying living life to the full".
They wrote: "Ifan was a happy and healthy 4 year old boy who was diagnosed with Autism but with help in place he was enjoying life to the full!
"He loved fire trucks and the colour blue. He had two older brothers and one younger brother that adored him.
"On the 7th of August their lives changed forever when Ifan was in a tragic accident and lost his life.
"With Sian and Wedros’ blessing they have let me set this GoFundMe page to try and give Ifan the best send off we can.
"Thanks for all the support already given. We as a family are eternally thankful."
