Six-year-old boy drowns after wandering away from family reunion on Belle Isle, police say

Belle Isle skyline
Photo credit Terrence Vails/WWJ

DETROIT (WWJ) A six-year-old Detroit boy drowned during a family gathering on Belle Isle, police said.

“Our heart goes out to this little boy’s family and also the first responders and community members on scene who did everything they could to try and save this child’s life,” said Michigan State Police (MSP) First Lieutenant Mike Shaw. “Unfortunately, we have seen several drownings in Michigan this year."

MSP said the Detroit Regional Communication Center received multiple calls of a missing child and of a medical emergency on Saturday, July 26 around 7:20 p.m.

According to MSP, the boy was attending a family reunion at Belle Isle Shelter #2 near the river that feeds into Lake Tacoma. He wandered away while playing with several other children at a bouncing castle.

Map of Belle Isle
Photo credit Michigan State Police

Family began searching for the boy.

When they could not find him, they called 911 and reported him missing. According to his family, he had autism.

The search continued for about a half an hour before another child and adult found him in the river by Shelter #2, authorities said.

Conservation officers and DNR park rangers, as well as park-goers, showed up at the scene. They began CPR and rescue breathing “promptly,” according to MSP.

An MSP trooper arrived and took over CPR and rescue breathing. The DNR officers applied an AED and delivered “one successful shock.” The AED instructed first responders to continue CPR.

Detroit Fire crews assumed life-saving efforts upon their arrival. EMS rushed the child to Children’s Hospital with a trooper escort.

He was pronounced dead when he arrived at the hospital, police said.

“A drowning can happen quickly and quietly and is often not how it is portrayed on TV,” Shaw said. “Keep a close eye on your kids and people who can't swim, wear life jackets when boating and if you are a poor swimmer, and be careful with alcohol consumption.”

Featured Image Photo Credit: Terrence Vails/WWJ