12-year-old missing boy found dead in Vermilion River

DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — The search for a missing 12-year-old boy in the Vermilion River came to an end on Friday with the recovery of his body.

Officials with the Danville Police Department said the boy was found at 12:20 p.m., a quarter mile downstream of where he went missing Monday night . The boy’s family has been notified and an autopsy is scheduled for Saturday.

“Members of both Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Vermilion County Sheriff’s Office’s Search and Rescue teams worked together on a very difficult task that was both mentally and physically exhausting due to the sensitive circumstances,” said Danville Police Chief Chris Yates. “I appreciate their dedication, skills, and efforts to make this recovery. There are risks in what they do but they worked through it to help bring some closure to a tragic event. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family, friends and our community.”

Danville Police say the the Illinois Department of Natural Resources as well as the Vermilion County Sheriff’s Office were instrumental in the recovery.

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