Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an incident that resulted in the death of a 7-year-old Chicago boy yesterday afternoon in Portage.
At 4:50 p.m., the Porter County 911 Center received a report of a child missing in Lake Michigan near the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Beach. Responders from multiple agencies arrived and located the child in the water near Ogden Dunes at 5:11 p.m.
The child was removed from the water and taken to a waiting ambulance. Lifesaving measures were started, and the boy was transported to Northwest Health–Portage hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. An autopsy was completed this morning and the cause of death has been ruled an accidental drowning.
Investigations have revealed the boy was playing in waist-deep water before entering deeper water. A witness reported it appeared the child was caught in a current that pulled him away from shore. A family member entered the water in attempt to rescue the boy but also was caught in a current and lost sight of the boy.
A beach hazard statement from the National Weather Service was in effect at the time of the incident.
Indiana Conservation Officers continue to investigate. No additional information is available. The identities of those involved are being withheld to allow for proper family notifications.
Other assisting agencies include Indiana Dunes National Park Rangers, Portage Police Department, Ogden Dunes Police Department, Ogden Dunes Fire Department, Portage Fire Department, and Porter Fire Department