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City leaders to fund project to complete greenway off Gastonia park

GASTONIA, N.C. — The Gastonia City Council decided to fund a project to complete the greenway that will stretch from Rankin Lake Park to the Gastonia Police Department.

One councilman told Channel 9 there was no discussion about Maddox Ritch when they voted to put up a little less than half of the $700,000 needed to finish the project.

For days, searchers used the trail and the path off of it to search for the autistic 6-year-old.

That search captured the attention of so many people who prayed for Maddox's safe return.

Councilman Todd Pierceall said the council will consider placing a marker along the trail in honor of Maddox.

Emotional parkgoers said that needs to happen.

"It did touch me and I can't see how it didn't touch anybody locally,” parkgoer Garry Hough said. “I mean, just a young child to disappear and pass away was very moving."

Authorities have not released Maddox’s cause of death.

Police said they are waiting for the medical examiner to complete a full autopsy to tell them if Maddox Ritch died accidentally or was killed.

Officials said autopsy results could take weeks or months.

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