Body of 12-Year-old Found in Portsmouth Waters

The body of an 12-year-old Providence boy who went missing in the waters off Portsmouth on Friday was discovered Saturday morning.

The discovery ends a search that began at around 5:30 p.m. and involved a contingent of firefighters, rescue divers and other officials from across Rhode Island.

Everyone hoped for the best, but by nightfall, officials said they were now engaged in a recovery, not a rescue operation.

The devastating tragedy occurred as the boy was with his father and a sibling.

Portsmouth Fire Dep. Chief Michael P. O’Brien said that officials got a call for a swimmer in distress near Cedar Island Recreation Area and crews arrived four minutes later.

Firefighters immediately entered the water to search for the boy.

His father said he “suddenly entered deep water and had gone under,” O’Brien said. “Family members attempted to rescue the child but were unsuccessful.”

Searchers called off the search at around midnight and resumed looking on Saturday morning.

The boy’s body was found at around 9:30 a.m., according to the state Department of Environmental Management.

Newport Naval Station covered the town of Portsmouth by offering mutual aid during the incident.

Outside agencies responded to eight other emergencies in town during the search.

Portsmouth was aided by fire departments from Portsmouth, Tiverton, Middletown, East Greenwich, Warwick, Smithfield, Bristol and Warren.

Police departments from Cranston, Portsmouth and the Rhode Island State Police also responded along with a marine unit and command staff from the DEM.

“The Portsmouth Fire Department would like to express our gratitude for assistance of these mutual aid partners,” O’Brien said.

Editor’s note: the original version of this story indicated that the boy was 11, not 12, based on incorrect information released by the state Department of Environmental Management.