4-year-old Indiana boy swept away in flooded creek; search continues

DELPHI, Ind. – Teams continued their search Friday morning along Deer Creek for a 4-year-old Indiana boy who was seen being swept away by the swollen creek Thursday evening at a Delphi park.

Witnesses at Riley Park in Delphi reported seeing Owen Jones, 4, of Monticello, caught up in the flooded creek around 6 p.m. Thursday, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Conservation officers reported that the initial investigation indicated that Owen was playing near Deer Creek when a witness saw him struggling in the water, and then being swept away.

According to the department, the boy was last seen wearing a blue sleeveless shirt and blue shorts.

Authorities searched into the night Thursday by boat, using sonar, but did not find the boy. A helicopter also searched from the air for several hours Thursday. 

Conservation officer Lt. Dan Dulin told the Journal & Courier on Friday morning that the search has transitioned into a recovery operation.

Two Department of Natural Resources boats with side sonar equipment and a Tippecanoe County water rescue boat were searching Deer Creek, past the Hamilton Street bridge, about a half-mile downstream. A Tippecanoe County Sheriff Department drone also was searching from the air.

“We’re continuing at this point to search in the area,” Dulin said Friday morning.

Police had part of a trail system and street nearby blocked off, allowing only family members who had gathered waiting for word of the search. Through the morning, people stopped by the blocked entrance to deliver food and drinks to family and others waiting in a maintenance garage.

Conservation officers were urging the public not to get near Deer Creek to help with the search, given its flooded condition.