MORRIS, Ill. (CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/AP/CBS) — Divers have recovered the body of a missing 13-year-old boy from the Illinois River in a state park in far southwest suburban Morris, a day after he disappeared in the water.
Authorities in Grundy County say James Woody was pronounced dead at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday. His body was recovered from the Illinois River, just east of the parking lot at William G. Stratton State Park in Morris.
Grundy County Coroner John Callahan said Woody had gone into the river Monday evening to retrieve a ball. The river was high due to recent rains and has a very strong undercurrent.
Callahan said Woody’s death remains under investigation.
One town leader in Morris said no one should have been near the water.
“Right off in front of the command vehicle here, we have a ‘no swimming’ sign, and there’s a strong undertow here,” said Deputy Chief of Operations Tracey Steffes. “The river is always fast-moving when you come down here. You always see trees and logs floating by, and the clarity of water, even when it hasn’t been disturbed for a while, is minimal.”
Investigators said two other boys saw the victim fall in and called for help. The water in that area is about 15 feet deep.
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