LR boy, 10, drowns off Texas coast

GALVESTON, Texas — A 10-year-old Arkansas boy drowned after he vanished while swimming with his family in coastal Texas, authorities said.

Micah Batson of Little Rock disappeared shortly before noon Saturday while swimming with his family in the waters off Crystal Beach, Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset said.

The boy’s father told authorities he and his son were in waist-high water when a wave crashed over them and separated them, the Galveston County Daily News reported.

First responders found boy’s body several hours later, authorities said.

The beach area on the Bolivar Peninsula does not have lifeguards.

Deputies reported busy beaches similar to a holiday weekend, Trochesset said. Stay-at-home orders issued because of the coronavirus pandemic were lifted Friday.