Leicester police have identified the two-year-old boy who went missing after falling into the River Soar as Xielo Maruziva. The incident occurred in the Aylestone area around 17:00 GMT on Sunday. Despite the ongoing search efforts by specialist teams, poor weather conditions have hindered the operation. Xielo’s mother described him as a “bundle of joy” and thanked everyone involved in the search.
Xielo’s mother described him as a cheeky, funny, friendly, smart, caring, and independent boy who loves playing with his toys and watching cartoons. The family is heartbroken and hopes for his quick recovery.
Leicestershire Police have been aided by specialist teams in their search for Xielo. They have obtained CCTV footage believed to show the boy falling into the river. Xielo’s father, who attempted to rescue him, described his son as a charming and creative boy who had just started nursery. The family expressed their gratitude towards the search teams and the public for their support.
Assistant Chief Constable Michaela Kerr acknowledged that adverse weather conditions have complicated the search but assured that it will not deter their efforts. The Metropolitan Police’s marine recovery dogs and rescue teams from Kent and West Mercia forces joined the operation on Tuesday. The National Police Air Service and a drone unit have also been assisting officers on the ground.
The police have received numerous responses following an appeal for witnesses but have urged the public not to conduct their own searches.
