Stratford Mom Describes ‘Unimaginable’ Grief After Son’s Death: Report

STRATFORD, CT — The mother of a 6-year-old boy who died after falling into the Housatonic River in Stratford last week described her “unimaginable” grief in an interview with News 12 Connecticut.

Magdalena Smith, 23, of Stratford, told News 12 Connecticut that she “can’t stop crying” and was with her son while he was walking along the Birdseye Boat Ramp before falling into the water. Smith said she jumped into the water after him, and a United Illuminating worker also jumped into the water to try and rescue the boy, according to News 12 Connecticut.

The boy’s body was recovered by crews on Friday afternoon about one-half mile south from where he fell into the river.

The U.S. Coast Guard announced Thursday afternoon that it had suspended its search for the boy after “22 hours of continuous searching.”

Officials searched for the child Wednesday, then a Coast Guard cutter and the Stratford Fire Marine unit searched for the child overnight without success.

The Stratford Fire Department on Thursday morning reassembled a Command Post at the Birdseye Boat Ramp to continue the search efforts.

Police said at the time the water was murky, with a strong current, which made the search efforts challenging.

The boy’s body was found by civilian boaters around 2 p.m. on Friday, according to police.

A Meal Train fundraiser has been set up in support of the family.

Read more at News 12 Connecticut here.