Prayers for a Child

Officials searching for 4-year-old who fell into bay

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Emergency officials are searching for a 4-year-old boy who fell off a boat in Pensacola Bay near Fort Pickens.


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Emergency responders are using boats and helicopters to search Pensacola Bay for a 4-year-old boy that fell off a boat near Fort Pickens on Saturday Afternoon.
According to Escambia County spokesman Bill Pearson, a 911 call went out at about 3:58 p.m. for a the missing boy.
Pearson said the boy was not wearing a personal flotation device.
Stan Kirkland with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission confirmed that several FWC boats are involved in the search as are Escambia County Sheriff’s personnel.
More information will be posted as it becomes available.

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Prayers going out... Tragic.



EDIT: More has come out on this story, and it is pure tragedy.
I sincerely take my earlier comments back and have heart felt sympathy for the Grandfather of this child.

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Originally Posted by ChileRelleno

While I'm sorry to hear this, my heart is for child.
I've little sympathy for the adults heartbreak, this is willful & reckless endangerment and neglect resulting in manslaughter.
100% avoidable.

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i must agree. don't know about fla but tennessee requires anyone 12 years and under to wear life jackets while in a boat.

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STORY FROM THE PNJ JUST UPDATED



Emergency responders are using boats and helicopters to search Pensacola Bay for a 4-year-old boy who fell off a boat near Fort Pickens on Saturday Afternoon.
According to Escambia County spokesman Bill Pearson, a 911 call went out at about 3:58 p.m. for a the missing boy.
Stan Kirkland with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission said the boy had been fishing with his grandfather aboard a 20-foot boat.

The boy's grandfather told officials his grandson had asked for help getting sand out from under his lifejacket, so he took it off the boy.
The grandfather later handed the lifejacket back to him and believed his grandson had put it back on when the grandfather returned to the steering console and began driving the boat.
Pearson said, however, the boy was not wearing a personal flotation device when he fell from the boat.
After the grandfather began driving the boat away from where they were fishing near an old Coast Guard station by Fort Pickens, he looked back and noticed his grandson was gone.

Pearson said that along with boats from several agencies, a Life Flight helicopter also is being used in the search.
A Coast Guard spokesman said the boy has blonde hair and is wearing blue swim trunks, and that he fell from the boat somewhere between Pensacola Naval Air Station and Fort Pickens.
He added that several civilian boats are also assisting in the search.
Kirkland confirmed that several FWC boats are also involved in the search and said the FWC will be in charge of the search, which will continue into the evening.
Rhonda Ray with the Escambia County Sheriff's office said that the sheriff's office dive team is assisting in the search as well.

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It only takes a few seconds of inattention with kids.
This poor man feels worse than any of us can likely imagine.
I hope he can one day again find peace & happiness in his heart/mind.
God, please help him to do so.

Jeez as a parent of three kids 7 and under this really hits home. ..

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Originally Posted by ChileRelleno

It only takes a few seconds of inattention with kids.

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Sometimes even a split second.

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This poor man feels worse than any of us can likely imagine.

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I've had an instance when my inattention put my only child in Pediatric ICU at a similar age, so I can begin to relate. I don't say this as some sort of badge of honor or one up on the rest, but to say you are correct. I wouldn't wish what I went through on anyone and it was only a pittance of what he is going through, since I knew where my son was and he was under good care.

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I hope he can one day again find peace & happiness in his heart/mind.

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In order to do this, he must forgive himself. Something a lot easier said than done.

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God, please help him to do so.

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Amen

Tragic in many ways...

It would be easy to question why this happened or to judge the grandfather. But from my own exsperience when I had 17 people in my yard of which mostly was grown ups. No alcohol or foolishness going on at all but yet my two year old nephew found his way up the steps of the swimming pool. We did not notice him missing until the life had left his body. God smiled on my family that day and we now have a amazing 16 year old. All that to say this, Don't judge the grandfather but pray for the family. The first thing the grandfather will have to do is to find a way to forgive himself. Believe me it's easier to forgive somone else but not yourself. God has a plan. He knows the trials we have before us and allows us to go through them. He never leaves us and is always there to take the burden from us, all we have to do is ask. Easier said than done. My thoughts and prayers to the family and the community.

Jesus, please comfort the family of this child. I am so sorry.

His body has been found:
4-Year-Old's Body Found in Pensacola Bay

Very sad, not that there ever was much hope after the first hour or so.
But in that time or soon after someone could've picked him up, or he could've been on Pickens or McRee.
At least now the grieving process can begin.
Can only imagine something as horrific with my kids.