HAMMOND, Ind. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Authorities in Hammond detailed Tuesday the extraordinary 10-day search for a 12-year-old autistic boy from Kansas City, Missouri, who disappeared from the hotel where he was staying with family. His body was found Monday night in the Little Calumet River.
The 10-day search involved dozens of people at various times, including police and firefighters from virtually every department in the area and volunteers. Authorities also used underwater drones and dammed up the murky Little Calumet River to lower the water level.
"We thought by damming up the river and dropping the water level, maybe it would expose anything in the river," said Mayor Thomas McDermott. "I don't think this has ever been done before...
"I am glad we can provide closure for the family, but it's very sad. We are all affected. There were hundreds of people that participated. To the family of Kyrin Carter, you have our condolences from the City of Hammond. And I want to say thank you to all the volunteers who worked so hard."
Volunteer searcher Eric Smith, who was out there on the river every day in a kayak, found Kyrin Carter’s body near where authorities believe he went into the water outside the Hammond Best Western on May 15 and drowned.
"All I took was there's a missing child and he needed help. Lost out there," he said.
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Smith was applauded by many involved in the search, who had gathered at Hammond Police headquarters.
Kyrin Carter had been seen on surveillance video running away from the Hammond Best Western toward the water.
It was reported he slipped out of a hotel room when his grandmother dozed off.