Body of 5-year-old Missouri boy found UPDATE

(AP) — Authorities say the death of a 5-year-old southeast Missouri boy appears to be a tragic accident.

Rescue workers found the body of Devonte Dye Monday in a slough near his grandparents’ home in Qulin.

Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs says the boy was last seen playing Sunday afternoon near the old St. Francis River channel about 50 feet behind his grandparents’ home. Dobbs says the county coroner believes the boy likely died on Sunday.

Local, county and state rescuers searched for the boy most of Sunday, with the help of as many as 200 volunteers.

The the search was called off late Sunday and the boy’s body was recovered shortly after it resumed on Monday.

Authorities say the body of a 5-year-old southeast Missouri boy has been found in the St. Francis River.

Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs says searchers found the body of Devonte Dye Monday morning after a search that began Sunday afternoon near Quilin.

Authorities said the boy had autism and would have been unable to respond verbally to search members.

Butler County, Dunklin County and the Missouri State Highway Patrol took part in the search. About 200 to 300 volunteers also showed up Sunday to help.

Further details were not immediately available.