The South Windsor boy who disappeared while visiting Texas for Thanksgiving was found drowned in a pond Saturday morning, police said.

Nine-year-old Marcus McGhee had walked away from a home in Pearland, Texas, around 5 p.m. Thursday, police said. The boy was found near the home he was visiting, police said.

"The Pearland Police Department regrets to inform the community that Marcus McGhee has been found. Today's search will be called off," the Pearland Police Department said in a Facebook posting Saturday morning. "We thank all of you for your efforts. The family is now in need of our prayers."

Pearland Police spokesman Lt. Oneismo Lopez said Saturday that Marcus was found in a large L-shaped pond about 100 yards from the home of Marcus Camby, who grew up in Hartford and was the No. 2 overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft after he played three seasons at the University of Massachusetts.

Lopez said that foul play was not suspected and that Marcus was seen on surveillance video going through a side door and heading north toward the pond.

"He went to the water, fell in and drowned," Lopez said.

Marcus was a student at CREC River Street School in Bloomfield, said Amanda Falcone, the Capitol Region Education Council communications specialist.

"He was a very special person to our staff, and he will be missed dearly by all who knew him," Falcone said in a statement. "Counselors will be available to staff and students beginning this weekend and throughout next week."

Dozens of citizens who came out to search for Marcus were told to stand down Friday afternoon, but police said late Friday that they were planning to resume the search Saturday morning. The boy had autism, and police said they were worried about his safety.

Local media reported the 9-year-old was a relative of Camby.

According to a Facebook post late Friday night, police said they had "reviewed leads and analyzed the search patterns conducted Friday" for Marcus. Police said they planned to redeploy volunteers from the Dad's Club parking lot, a local sports club, beginning at 8 a.m.

On Thursday night, several hours after the boy was reported missing, citizen joined officers in the search.

"We appreciate all the prayers and help thus far," the Pearland Police Department said in a Facebook posting Thursday night. "There are dozens of citizens out in cars helping search."

Michael Arnold, an officer with the Pearland Police Department, had told a team of volunteers that Marcus didn't know the area.

"He's not from around here; he's actually from Connecticut," Arnold said. "He doesn't live here, he's not familiar with the area and he doesn't have any friends or houses or businesses that he likes to go to."

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter was called in to aid in the search and police were using bloodhounds to try to locate the boy. He was last seen wearing a black Nike T-shirt and black and gray sweatpants, but he was not wearing shoes.

As citizens were asked to stop their search, police said they were going to have additional officers on duty to investigate tips and check any leads.

"In the morning we will re-evaluate our needs and let you know through our Facebook page where we need you next," the department wrote on Facebook.

Courant Staff Writer Steven Goode contributed to this report.