Body Of Boy Feared Drowned Found In Modesto Reservoir
12 p.m. Saturday update: Authorities say they have found the body of the missing boy.
WATERFORD (CBS13) — Search and recovery crews spent hours at Modesto Reservoir on Friday searching for the body of a 10-year-old boy.
It was supposed to be a fun day at the water. Family members tell CBS13 the grandmother of the children brought them to the park.
"Devastating, just devastating," said Michael Dixson, a relative.
He knows heart break.
"Probably the worst call you can get as a parent," said Dixson.
Last year he buried his son who died of a heart attack. Today, he lost a relative on the water.
"Such a bright future just gone, and for what."
Family members say 10-year-old Martin Castillo Jr. died after he and three other children jumped off a paddle boat in the Modesto Reservoir.
"For some reason they decided to jump in the water," said Sgt. Anthony Bejaran with the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department, "Unfortunately, none of them were wearing life vests."
One of the kids untied the boat from the shore. Wind pushed them more than 250 yards away.
"It doesn't matter if it's wide or shallow. They can still float away," said one man who brought his children to the reservoir, "there is dips in the water."
Crews from Stanislaus County and Modesto used boats and aircraft's including a drone to search for Castillo. Divers scoured the bottom, but came up empty.
"It can happen to any child," said Dixson.
People on shore used an inflatable mattress to paddle out and save three of the children.
"Do not let you're kids get into the water without life jackets at all," said Dixson, " it can happen so quick."
The star of his football team, a violinist and straight A student, Castillo Jr. never surfaced.
"Beautiful soul, beautiful smile, handsome kid. Everybody loved him," said Dixson.
Crews suspended their search after eight hours on Friday. They'll pick things back up at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
