At 3:18 yesterday afternoon E-911 dispatch received a call that a 6 yr. male child was missing from JJ's place at coffee springs Al.

 

This is a popular venue for birthday parties and other functions, A family was having a birthday party for a child and the victim was one of the guests. 

 

 Prior to the emergency call the family of our victim noticed him missing and began searching for him with the assistance of the staff at JJ's and other family members and guests.

 

JJs place has a large pavilion several small cabins a small kitchen that prepares food and a spring fed swimming area, the entire premises is surrounded by wooded natural growth trees and brush.

 

 Deputies arrived on the scene quickly and accessed the situation and gathered as much information as was available. The family had said the last time he was seen was in a playground area close to an area that was wooded.

 

  Deputies at the scene determined that several staff members and family members had searched the immediate wooded area, the Sheriff's Office set up an incident command in an area of the facility provided by the staff.

 

Several departments as well as other Sheriff's Office were called for assistance. A methodical investigation and search began.

 

The staff at the facility were actively assisting with video camera footage of the scene and everyone that had left the scene. This search was aided with drones from Coffee County Sheriff's Office and ALEA SBI, Coffee Springs Fire and Rescue Bellwood Fire and Rescue, Geneva Fire and Rescue and Geneva Fire and Rescue aided in the ground search and provided medical stand by and support.

Houston County Sheriff's Office and Opp Fire and Rescue provided divers and personnel for the water search.

 ALEA State Troopers as well as SBI aided with the investigation and were also aided by Deputies with Coffee, Dale County as well as the Geneva County Sheriff's Posse.

 

All these assets and personnel were active participants in the investigation and search. Geneva County EMA as well as Coffee County EMA provided support at the scene. The Geneva County Sheriff's Office Chaplain was at the scene for spiritual support of the family and searchers.

 

Shortly after 6 pm divers found the body of our victim in the water of the pool. The Geneva County Coroner was called to the scene at that time. The Coroner, will deliver the body to AL DFS for autopsy and cause of death. 

 

The Geneva County Sheriff's Office would like to thank all the agencies that provided assistances at the scene as well the Red Cross.

 

Sheriff Scott Byrd, Sheriff Donald Valenza, Sheriff Bynum, Sheriff Thurman, Sheriff Helms, and everyone involved in the search and recovery extend our sympathy to the family. 

 

Sheriff Helms