Kankakee River Drowning Victim Was 'Loving And Respectful Boy': Mother

KANKAKEE, IL — The family of a 6-year-old boy who drowned after falling into the Kankakee River Tuesday is turning to the community for support.

Jamir Frazier was reaching for a ball in the water, when he fell off the dock at the Beckman Park boat launch, and into the river. The boy's mother did everything she could to help, family told reporters. Witnesses also tried to reach the boy, who went under the water and never resurfaced.

Kankakee police, sheriff and fire departments, along with rescue boats from Aroma Fire department, Limestone Fire department and Bourbonnais Fire department searched, but rising water levels and a strong current hampered their efforts. A boater familiar with the river also tried to help, police said.

Despite desperate attempts by his mother, bystanders, and rescue crews, his body was pulled from the water several hours later. He was found near the boat launch where he was last seen, about 25 feet from shore. The depth of the water was approximately 10 feet. An autopsy by the Kankakee County Coroner on Wednesday determined the boy's preliminary cause of death was drowning.

"He was a loving and respectful young boy who adored playing football and brought so much joy to our lives," his mother Angel Jackson wrote in a GoFundMe started to help with funds for his burial.

The family held a balloon release Wednesday near where Jamir fell into the river, ABC7 reported.

"He's like the best son somebody could ever have..." Jackson said, during the release. "Energetic, loving, caring. He cared so much about me. He checked on me as much as he could."

Youth football and cheer organization Kankakee Elite, for which Jamir played, called him, "an amazing young soul.

"Jamir was only 6 but he was a mighty 6-year-old," the organization wrote on social media. "He was always willing to learn, he was so excited for the upcoming season and ready to hit the field to secure another superbowl ring, jJmir always had a smile on his face, he always wanted to be around the older kids at practice and learn from them, he was tough as nails.

"Kankakee Elite Family will make sure Jamir’s spirit is felt every time we hit the field."