Madelia boy’s body recovered from Blue Earth River

(Mankato, MN) – The body of a Madelia boy who went missing while swimming in the Blue Earth River Saturday has been recovered.

A release from Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Department Captain Paul Barta says that 11-year-old Denilson Fidel Funes De Leon’s body was discovered at 12:18 p.m., about one mile down the river from where he was last seen.

Funes De Leon had been swimming with a group of other children at the Rapidan County Park when he was swept away by the river current.

The search for the child had entered its third day Monday.  Barta said Rice County was assisting in the search with specialized sonar equipment that would allow officials to focus on areas that needed more concentration from divers.  The Lake Crystal Fire Department was conducting shoreline searches, and the Blue Earth County sheriff’s office drone was utilized in the search.

“Our hearts go out to the family,” Barta said earlier Monday.  “Our sole purpose is to give them answers.”

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