SOUTH BOSTON, Mass. – An intensive search in and around Castle Island for a missing 4-year-old boy from South Boston ended Monday afternoon after his body was recovered off the coast of Spectacle Island, authorities said.
A search team with binoculars spotted Mohamed Fofana’s body on the beach directly across the water from Castle Island just before 12:30 p.m., according to Massachusetts State Police.
Mohamed was first reported missing Sunday night after a family member lost sight of the boy while he was playing in a park on Boston’s South Shore around 7 p.m.
Surveillance video showed Mohamed leaving a Castle Island playground and heading toward the water, state police told Boston 25. His shoe was also found in the water at Castle Island sunday night
UPDATE: State police say they have found the boy’s body.
— Robert Goulston (@rgoulston) May 15, 2023
.@MassStatePolice they say they have video of a boy walking out of the yard by himself and into the water. His shoe was found last night on Castle Island. The boy’s body was found at 12:29 p.m. off the coast of Spectacle Island, which is opposite Castle Island.
— Robert Goulston (@rgoulston) May 15, 2023
Mohamed’s mother said her son was with his grandfather and sister when he went missing. She also said her son was non-verbal.
“Please help me. If anyone has Mohamed, I need him. Please help me,” the boy’s mother said in an emotional plea.
Mohamed’s grandfather said the park was full of people while they were playing and they didn’t know the area.
MSP and other agencies searched the area by land, sea and air until shortly before 1:00 a.m. Monday. The search resumed several hours later as officials closed off parts of Castle Island to sweep the area with K9 dogs.
Boats and divers were also searching a section of the ocean known as the Western Way, which connects Dorchester Bay to the south and the Boston Main Channel to the north.
State police say three vessels used side-scan sonar to get images of the ocean floor. Divers searched along the seawall at Castle Island up to 150 years offshore.
In a statement, Boston Public Schools confirmed that Mohamed was a student in its system.
“We are deeply troubled to learn of the disappearance of one of our students, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the entire school community during this difficult time,” BPS said.
Mohamed’s body will be handed over to the custody of the Chief Coroner’s Office.
State police detectives assigned to the Suffolk District Attorney’s office are leading an investigation into Mohamed’s death.
The facts and circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain under investigation.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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