Photo: Photo Courtesy Of Lowell Police Department
LOWELL, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Officials in Lowell confirmed a tragic end to a search Wednesday evening, announcing a missing three-year-old boy has been found dead.
The boy, identified as Harry Kkonde, reportedly wandered off from his babysitter's home on Freda Lane in the Pawtucketville neighborhood around 9:30 Tuesday morning, police have said. A multi-agency search, including dive teams, state police air wings, K-9's, and ATV's searched until around 10 p.m. Tuesday night, and resumed early Wednesday morning.
In a press conference, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan says a diver discovered the boy's body in a pond off Varnum Avenue, around 1:10 Wednesday afternoon.
"Harry's body was discovered in a pond adjacent to Rollie's Tree Farm. That pond is located about 650 feet straight from the house, if you traveled in that direction," said the D.A..
D.A. Ryan said it's not clear how or when Harry entered the pond, which was first searched by Lowell fire crews yesterday.
"He was found close to shore, in about five feet of water," said the D.A.. "He was in the clothes he had last been seen in. There was no indication of external trauma."
On Tuesday, Lowell Police authorities said they believed the boy "wandered off," and said there was no sign of abduction or foul play.
At the press conference, D.A. Ryan said they now believe the last person to see Harry alive was a neighbor outside his babysitter's house. She says, when the neighbor noticed Harry was gone, they notified the babysitter, and that's when they realized the three-year-old had gone missing. D.A. Ryan said it's too early to determine if the babysitter will face any charges.
On Twitter, Lowell Police said the department's "thoughts and prayers are with Harry’s family during this difficult time. The LPD is thankful to all of our law enforcement partners for their assistance and grateful to the community for their support and assistance throughout the search."
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