Body of missing 4-year-old boy from South Boston found after extensive search

The body of a missing 4-year-old South Boston boy who went missing Sunday has been found, Massachusetts State Police said in a tweet Monday.

Police first announced they were searching for the boy, Mohemed Fofena, at 9:21 p.m. Sunday. He was reported missing from Castle Island.

The boy was with his older sister and their grandfather at the park shortly after 7 p.m. Sunday, reported Boston television station WCVB. His grandfather said the park was crowded and he was on the phone for 10 to 15 minutes while the children played. When it was time to head home, the boy was nowhere to be found.

His grandfather reported him missing at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, the outlet said. His mother said the kindergartener was autistic and was not able to communicate.

While he was missing, she pleaded on TV for the public to help find her son.

“Please, people, help me,” she said to WCVB. “My little baby, please.”

Police: Boy’s body recovered near Castle Island shoreline

The search included Massachusetts State Police, the Boston Police Department, Massachusetts Environmental Police, the Boston Fire Department, Boston Emergency Medical Services, as well as marine units, a dive team and searchers in the air.

The agency tweeted a series of updates about the boy, including one at 8:24 a.m. Monday with a photo of him. Police asked the public to keep an eye out and call authorities if anyone saw him.

At some point during the night, the search was halted and resumed Monday morning.