Police Recover Boy's Body from Kankakee River

WILMINGTON, IL — The body of 12-year-old Joliet resident Eder Arroyo has been recovered from the Kankakee River.

Wilmington Deputy Fire Chief Todd Friddle said the boy was located at around 10:54 a.m. Wednesday about three and a half miles downstream from the last seen point. His sister died trying to save him, jumping into the dangerous part of the river beneath the dam.

"Ultimately it's to provide closure for the family," Friddle said. "To locate the victim for them."

The boy was found in a shallow part of the river floating on the surface.

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Arroyo’s 13-year-old sister Abigail was pulled from the river Monday evening after she jumped in to help her brother, who was caught in the current after going to touch the waterfall created by the dam. She was pronounced dead that evening.

A fundraiser has been established for funeral costs for the family. According to the GoFundMe page, the Arroyo family is in a low-income situation and needs help for funeral costs.

Those who knew the children left memorial messages on the fundraising page.

“Abigail had been part of the Gompers Choir for the past two years. I took her on field trips, contests, and performed in concerts,” one donor wrote. “Abigail was such a kind girl who made her musical contribution to our group. She will always be part of the Gompers Choir. We will always miss her.”

A teacher at Gompers Junior High School said she knew Eder from the hallways and lunchroom.

“He did always have a smile on his face,” she wrote. “My prayers are with you all at this difficult time.”

Speaking to FOX 32, father Jerry Arroyo said it feels like his heart is being ripped out.

"All I can do is go home and cry,” he told the station.

Arroyo said Abigail had her future mapped out and wanted to go to college to become a nurse.