Body Of One-Year-Old Boy Recovered After Being Swept Away In Floodwaters In Union County
THE LATEST:
Officials say they have recovered the body of one-year-old Kaiden Lee-Welch.Β The Union County Sheriff’s Office posted on their Facebook page,
“Our thoughts and prayers for the little boyβs family and all the search team members and law enforcement officers who helped in this matter. Very sad situation.”
ORIGINAL POST:
MARSHVILLE, N.C. — The search continues for a one-year-old who was swept away in floodwaters in Union County on Sunday.
Rescue crews responded to Holly Schools Road in Marshville around 8 p.m. to search for the missing, one-year-old child Kaiden Lee-Welch, who was swept away in rushing waters from Richardson Creek on NC 218. Kaiden has not yet been found.
According to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, Kaiden and his mother were traveling east on N.C. 218 going toward Wadesboro. Authorities say the mother drove around the barricades and continued traveling east until her vehicle encountered rushing water flowing across the road.
Her car left the roadway and came to a stop among a group of trees. The mom managed to free herself and Kaiden, who was in a car seat at the time. However, Kaiden’s mom lost her grip on Kaiden in the rushing water.
Crews were able to get the mom out of the water.
The search for the child was called off around 11:30 p.m. As of Monday morning, numerous search crews and swift water rescue teams are working to find Kaiden.
“It is a very hard time for all of us, it’s a burden on our hearts,” said Daren Thomas, a Beaver lane volunteer fire and rescuer. “This is a job for us that we have to do.”
Drivers, be cautious. The area along NC 218 still remains a hazard due to flooding.
