Authorities say the body was discovered at approximately 1 p.m. Thursday off Marietta Street/Old Dallas Highway in Gastonia.
Ritch's parents have been notified of the discovery by law enforcement. Identification of the body will be done by the Medical Examiner's Office.
'Everybody looks at you as a monster' Father of NC boy speaks for the first time since Maddox Ritch went missing
A news conference about the ongoing search for Maddox will be held at 4 p.m.
The boy, who has autism and is non-verbal, disappeared around 1:30 p.m. Saturday after going to Rankin Lake Park with his father and another adult.
The father told police that the boy ran off, and when they started running after him, they lost sight of him.
A 911 caller said the boy had disappeared about an hour before he called.
"We searched everywhere," he said.
He also told dispatchers that the parents were at the park looking for the boy.
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