Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch on Monday said his agency would continue the search for a young boy that went missing in Alabama on Friday in a shrimping trip that ended in tragedy.
According to Burch, MCSO and its partners would continue looking for 7-year-old Hunter Slezak for as long as possible. Hunter went missing along with Michael Slezak, Hunter’s father, and Sam Wooley on Friday evening while shrimping in Dauphin Island. The bodies of Michael and Sam were found Saturday by a US Coast Guard crew.
“I will say that we will continue as long as we’re able to continue,” Burch said. “And you know, some of what may be involved is more specialized equipment than what we have and but right now, I don’t plan on suspending anything until we find the boat.”
More from CafeMom: Drone Video Shows Missing 3-Year-Old Found in Vast 100-Acre Wisconsin Cornfield
The Coast Guard continued to search throughout the weekend for Hunter but ended the search Sunday night after 65 hours and looking along 2,042 square miles.
Burch said it is possible the boat capsized with the child trapped in its cabin.
MCSO searched throughout Monday for Hunter and the boat, which has also not been located despite debris being found.
MCSO was assisted by several agencies including the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Dauphin Island Police Department, Marine Resource Division and Baldwin County ALEA. Equipment used in the search were boating vessels, drones and a helicopter.
The search will continue Tuesday in Dauphin Island.
Burch said that volunteers from the community are welcome but asked volunteers to coordinate with MCSO’s dispatch.
Volunteers can reach dispatch at 251-574-8633.
Burch asked for continued prayers for Hunter‘s family especially over the holiday season.
“I do ask that anybody that sees this to pray for this family,” Burch said.
—Patrick Darrington
©2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit al.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
