Body of missing 4-year-old found in Hopkins
Hopkins police say the body of a 4-year-old boy who went missing on Sunday has been found.
Hopkins Police Captain Craig Kreiling announced Monday afternoon that a volunteer helping with search efforts recovered the body of Waeys Ali Mohamed.
Earlier in the day, crews had blocked off a portion of Minnehaha Creek near Chorus Apartments in the area of Blake Road North and Second Street Northeast.
While an investigation is still underway, Kreiling noted that Mohamed is believed to have left on his own accord and died from an apparent drowning.
He added that there isn’t anything currently suspicious with the boy’s death and it appears to be “a horrible, tragic accident.”
As previously reported by 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, Mohamed was last seen around 7:30 a.m. Sunday near Chorus Apartments.
Police said the current in Minnehaha Creek has been moving swiftly, which was a concern. Crews searched the creek several times but didn’t find the boy until Monday.
Police have also said that children with autism are drawn to water and like to hunker down and hide.
Several police and fire departments in the area helped with the search, as did many volunteers. Crews are also using K-9, rescue units and a drone.
A GoFundMe for Mohamed’s family was created to help in part with funeral expenses.