Body of boy, 4, found near edge of Yellow River

Rescuers searched land, water before finding him Sunday.

Rescue workers searching for a missing boy in the Yellow River in Gwinnett County since Saturday afternoon discovered his body at 10:39 a.m. Sunday, according to a news release from Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services.

The 4-year-old boy disappeared around 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Yellow River Park about 6 miles southwest of Snellville on Juhan Road SW.

Gwinnett County firefighters worked for hours Saturday searching for the boy using boats, drones and a helicopter with infrared cameras. Ground crews suspended their search around 8 p.m. due to loss of daylight and unsafe conditions, but aerial searches continued until after midnight, officials said.

“This was not the outcome everybody was hoping for,” said Gwinnett Fire Capt. Ryan Mcgiboney, who said the boy’s body was discovered near the river’s edge by the department’s swift water rescue team.

The mother told authorities she was near the river with her son when she noticed he was missing. She said she saw her son briefly before he disappeared under the water.

A 911 caller said the boy was seen floating down the river, unable to get out. The mother confirmed the boy was not wearing a life vest.

The search resumed at 9 a.m. Sunday.

The search Sunday involved three boats working in a grid search pattern down river from the part aided by search parties on the shore. Bad weather moving through the area prevented the use of aerial search vehicles. The release did not specify where the boy was found, although witnesses last saw the boy in the water downstream toward the Annistown Road bridge.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Gwinnett County Emergency Management Agency assisted fire officials in the search.