Missing 4-year-old Mohamed Fofana found dead on Spectacle Island shore off South Boston
SOUTH BOSTON - The desperate search for missing 4-year-old Mohamed Fofana of South Boston came to a tragic end Monday when his body was found.
Massachusetts State Police said one of their marine units spotted the boy on the shoreline of Spectacle Island around 12:30 p.m. Investigators found his blue shoe in the water.
Fofana was with his older sister and grandfather playing at a park on Castle Island around 7 p.m. Sunday near the water when he vanished. His grandfather Soleymane Fofana called 911.
"(Fofana's mother) said, 'It's Mother's Day, I'm a little tired. I don't want to go to the park or the beach.' And grandpa said, 'I'll come with you,' I guess. And so he feels very guilty, which is heartbreaking for him," said Erin Murphy, Boston city councilor at large.
Spectacle Island is directly across the water from Castle Island.
A massive search was launched by land, air, and water through the night. Rescue K9s were also brought in to help.
"Our search encompassed a vast search of coastline, not just on Castle Island here, but as far south as Hull and as far north as Deer Island," State Police spokesman Dave Procopio said.
"If you saw Mohamed, please help me," Mohamed's mother Matenjay Fofana said early Monday morning. "Help me to give it to me, my little baby, please. Please. He doesn't have a daddy here. I'm here with my kids. Please, please people, help me find Mohamed for me."
Mohamed's mother and grandfather released two photos of him Monday morning, asking for the public's help in finding him. They told WBZ-TV he is on the Autism spectrum and has sickle cell disease.
"Mohamed can't talk. He had his problems," said Soleymane Fofana.
Fofana was a Boston Public Schools student.
"Our community is in mourning following the tragic news that Mohamed Fofana, a pre-K student of the Lee K-8 School community, has passed away," the district said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and school community during this difficult time."
Matenjay Fofana's family is from West Africa. She has a 1-year-old baby and an older daughter.
