TWO RIVERS, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Police confirmed Sunday morning that the body of 7-year-old Jacob Baer was recovered from the West Twin River in Two Rivers.
“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Jacob Baer,” says a release from the Two Rivers Police Department.
Community members were shaken by the incident.
“With having a seven year old boy, it really hit home,” said Amy Van Rooy of Two Rivers.
On Saturday, officers were dispatched for a possible missing child at 1818 School Street. A Missing endangered child alert was initiated shortly after 4:30 Saturday afternoon.
“The missing child, Jacob Baer, was described as a 7-year-old autistic boy who was playing outside when his parent lost sight of him,” the release states.
Officials say an immediate search was conducted and continued throughout the night.
Around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Two Rivers Police said the Coast Guard Ice Search and Rescue Team joined the search on the West Twin River, and the Wisconsin National Guard joined to provide aerial support with a helicopter.
An hour later, police said the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources began assisting the search on the West Twin River.
A resident near the scene, Kurt Psenicka, described to FOX 11 what he heard and saw Saturday night.
“Before you know it, I was like, ‘Hey is that a helicopter we hear?’ and sure enough there was a helicopter for about a hour searching back and fourth,” said Psenicka.
Around 3:00 a.m. Sunday, officials say those search efforts located several items belonging to Jacob in the water.
“This morning, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources was able to identify a possible location, in 5 to 6 feet of water, for what was believed to be Jacob. Recovery operations continued until late this morning. A body was recovered from that location and was positively identified as Jacob Baer,” police said in a release Sunday.
This tragic event is a reminder of how dangerous the ice can be on our waterways, especially this time of year when it is very thin. Please stay off the ice and keep your children safe by monitoring them closely when around any waterway.
Officials ask that community members respect the privacy of Baer’s family during this time.
Two Rivers Public Schools posted to social media Sunday, confirming that Baer was a 2nd grade student at Koenig Elementary.
Counselors will be available Monday for any students at each school in the district for any type of assistance surrounding Baer’s death.
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