NEW LONDON (NBC 26) — A 3-year-old boy was found in the Wolf River Monday morning, according to the New London police chief.
Police say the boy went missing from his home on West Beacon Avenue around 5 a.m. Monday. The home is roughly 1,000 feet from the river.
Law enforcement found him in the river near downtown New London by 7:20 a.m. He was taken to the ThedaCare-New London, and police confirmed his death a few hours later.
Police Chief Joshua Wilson told NBC26 police did not know the events that led to the boy being in the water. Nine agencies responded including New London Fire Department, New London First Responders, Gold Cross Ambulance, Waupaca County Sheriffs Department, Outagamie County Sheriffs Department, Clintonville Police Department, Canadian Railroad Police, DNR, State Patrol.
Chief Wilson said drones and K9 units assisted in the search.
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New London neighbor, Amber Rodgers, says she jumped into action after hearing the missing child report early Monday.
"They mentioned Hatten Park, which is literally two blocks from my house so I quickly got dressed and went right to Hatten Park," Rodgers said.
Rodgers says more than a dozen neighbors joined in the search before police confirmed the boy's death.
"The community as a whole came out, dropped everything. I mean most of us moms that were out here were doing it before our kids had to get up to go to school, and it was just something we all stopped what we did and just pitched in where we could," Rodgers said.
"I feel for the parents, I feel for that kids, I feel for the community, we’re all suffering with her, or with them," Rodgers said.
Police have not confirmed the cause of death, but are still investigating.
Earlier Story:
New London police are asking for the public’s help in finding a missing 3-year-old boy.
Authorities say the child was last seen around midnight near the 1000 block of West Beacon Avenue, close to the middle school. He is described as being 3 feet tall with brown hair and brown eyes.
At the time of his disappearance, police say he was wearing an orange Chicago Bears shirt and a diaper.
Anyone who sees the child or has information about his whereabouts is urged to call 911 immediately.
