Poppy Bilderbeck
Police have issued an important 'reminder' in light of the 'tragic event'.
Jacob Baer, seven, was first reported missing on November 30 after his parents 'lost sight of him' while he was playing outside around the area of 1818 School St in Wisconsin.
In a post shared to Facebook, Two Rivers Police Department said an 'immediate search' was conducted for Jacob - who had autism - throughout the night and a Missing and Endangered Alert plus local alert were sent out through its Emergency Operations Center.
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The statement from Captain Andrew Raatz continued: "Search efforts located several items belonging to Jacob and they were recovered from the water last night."
However, early on December 1, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources identified 'a possible location, in five to six feet of water, for what was believed to be Jacob' in the West Twin River in Two Rivers.
Recovery operations continued until late in the morning of December 1 before 'a body was recovered from that location and positively identified as Jacob Baer'.
The statement added: "Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Jacob Baer."
The department thanked multiple other agencies for their assistance in the case including 'Two Rivers Fire Dept, Town of Two Rivers Fire Dept, Two Rivers Parks and Recreation Dept, Two Rivers Dept of Public Works, Manitowoc PD, Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office, Mishicot PD, Brillion PD, Green Bay PD, De Pere PD, Manitowoc County Dispatch, Manitowoc County Emergency Management, Manitowoc County Coroner’s Office, Manitowoc County District Attorney’s Office, Wisconsin Crime Alert Network, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), WI Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin K9 SOS Search and Rescue, Brown County Sheriff’s Office, WI State Patrol, the US Coast Guard, WI Army National Guard and Kwik Trip'.
It also thanked the 'community' for its 'support, patience and search efforts'.
The statement concluded: "This tragic event is a reminder of how dangerous the ice can be on our waterways, especially this time of year when it is very thin. Please stay off the ice and keep your children safe by monitoring them closely when around any waterway.
"We also ask that you respect the family’s right to privacy. This incident is still under investigation and no further information will be released at this time."
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends on (877) 969-0010.