Body Found in River Confirmed as Missing 6-Year-Old UK Boy

Stock photo of police tape. (Carl Ballou/Shutterstock)

A body found in a U.K. river was confirmed to be that of missing 6-year-old boy Lucas Dobson, said police.

The child went missing on the afternoon of Saturday, Aug. 17 after he fell into the River Stour in Sandwich, Kent, reported the Press Association.

His body was discovered Wednesday, and his family was informed.

“Following the discovery of a body in the River Stour at approximately 9.15am on Wednesday August 21, formal identification has taken place and I can confirm the body is that of missing Lucas,“ Chief Inspector Mark Weller said. “It brings an end to our search and I would like to echo Lucas’ family’s message of thanks to those who came out to help search for him in the last few days. The community support we have witnessed has been heart-warming, even in the most tragic of circumstances.”

He added that “the search may have ended,“ but their ”support to Lucas’ family continues.”

Lucas’s aunt Maciee Stanford, 18, told Kent Online that the boy knew how to swim but would be too scared to go in.

She said, “He was with his dad and his dad’s friends along with other children. The incident happened because our Lucas was on the jetty and tried to step from there onto the boat but he fell in between the jetty and the boat (small gap).”

The boy fell in, prompting three adults to go after him in the water.

However, Stanford recalled, “The current was too strong he had already gone in the short amount of time he could not be found. The current was so strong the three men could barely swim in it.”

“They fish and do this regularly as it is behind one of the men’s house all the children play together here,” she said.

Newborn Found in Maryland Woods

A newborn found abandoned and naked in Silver Spring, Maryland, is now recovering, said officials.

On Friday, Aug. 16 at around 5 p.m., police received a call from a man who had been walking along Tenbrook Drive when he heard crying coming from a wooded area, according to a Facebook post from the Montgomery County Police Department.

He found the naked child about 10 feet from the sidewalk after going to investigate, Montgomery County officials said.

“The baby is possibly Hispanic and according to medical personnel at the hospital, was born a few hours before she was found,” said police in the post.

“We were very fortunate that that man was walking down that sidewalk,” said Sgt. Rebecca Innocenti with the Montgomery County Police, WVLT reported. “She didn’t have any clothes on, no diaper.”

Innocenti said that anyone who abandons a baby may face charges.

“We’re concerned about the mother, both her physical and emotional well-being, so we want to make sure the mother is getting the help she needs and if she doesn’t have the help, that she comes forward and we can get her that help that she needs,” Innocenti said.

Police didn’t offer any further details about the case.