8-Year-Old Dies After Drowning Incident In Wheeling Pond

WHEELING, IL — An 8-year-old child died following a drowning incident Thursday night in Wheeling, according to police.

Wheeling police said officers were dispatched at about 8:20 p.m. to the 1600 block of Ottawa Court for a report of a missing child believed to have entered a pond behind homes in the area.

The deceased has been identified as Vyom Joshi, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.

Family members had been actively searching for the child when a neighbor told responding police officers and fire department personnel that they had heard a loud splash coming from the pond shortly before the child was reported missing, according to police.

Officers and fire department personnel immediately began a coordinated search of the area, police said.

During the search, the child was found unresponsive in the water and recovered by rescue personnel.

The child was taken to a local hospital, where the child was later pronounced dead, according to police.

The incident remains under investigation. Police said investigators have found no evidence to suggest foul play.

“Our hearts go out to the child's family, friends, and all those affected by this tragic loss,” Wheeling Police Chief Joseph Kopec said in a statement. “This is a devastating incident for our entire community, and we ask that everyone keep the family in their thoughts during this difficult time.”

Recent related Northwest suburban coverage: Patch has reported several recent cases involving people found in ponds or other bodies of water in the northwest suburbs. Authorities have not said the cases are connected.

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