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Body Of 10-Year-Old Boy Who Fell Into Ohio River Found

BEAVER COUNTY (KDKA) -- Officials say the body of the 10-year-old boy who fell into the Ohio River earlier this week has been found.

On Wednesday, the state police out of Philadelphia brought in special equipment to aid in the search and recovery mission.

"We showed them the area and they felt they would be able to search with their boat and their equipment," said Lieutenant Brian Jameson of the Ambridge Police Department.

A state police cadaver dog on a boat picked up something during the search on Wednesday. That's when the state police used their special equipment to locate the body near the Ambridge Sewage Treatment Plant, the Ambridge fire chief said.

"Once they were on scene, one of the Beaver Falls divers went down to recover the body," said Chief Rob Gottschalk of the Ambridge Fire Department.

The Beaver County coroner identified the boy as Thomas Jett. He was found about 70 to 80 feet away from where he fell in, and the cause of death was drowning.

"Knew exactly where it was because of the submarine or what they call the ROV," Gottschalk said.

Crews were first called to the scene Monday between the Ambridge Sewage Treatment Plant and the Leetsdale Boat Ramp at the Ohio River.

Ohio River Ambridge Leetsdale
(Photo Credit: Chris Hoffman)

The child and his brother were biking with friends when police say the children went down to the river.

The 10-year-old boy then fell into the Ohio River, near the plant, after trying to retrieve his shoe.

The boy's brother tried to grab his sibling, but the 10-year-old slipped off the sandbar and into the water.

Police say the families did not know the children went down to the river.

"We want to give our heartfelt condolences to the family for the tragic situation. We also would like to thank all the first responders that came and assisted us in our time of need," Jameson said.

During a news conference on Wednesday, officials said the river is too dangerous for kids to be alone.

"Large trees, foreign debris, rocks, stones depending on how far you go out and the depth and the current," Chief Gottschalk said.

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