Body found near where SC 12-year-old fell into river, ID not yet made by coroner

Searchers found a body Friday morning in the area where they were looking for a 12-year-old boy who slipped into the Saluda River Wednesday afternoon.

No identity has been released. Greenville County Sheriff’s Office said the body was a child and the coroner would release the name and cause of death after an autopsy. The body was found by members of the Greenville County Emergency Response Team.

Crews have searched every day since the call came in to dispatchers around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, but have been hampered each day by heavy afternoon and evening rain.

Sheriff Hobart Lewis said the boy was playing with friends near the river when he fell in.

The missing boy’s mother Rissa Lewis told FOX Carolina his name is Ayden Chastain.

“I don’t understand how this happened,” she told the TV station. “We’ve expressed to them over the weeks: do not play in that river.”

When the friends didn’t see him resurface, they ran to tell adults, who then called the police.

About 85 people have taken part in the search, including divers and officers in boats, and drones and K-9s have been used.

The spot is a popular play area that includes a rope swing, slide and a ladder.

This story was originally published July 8, 2022 at 10:50 AM.