Missing 4-year-old Alabama boy found dead in pool after hours of searching

Cleburne County Coroner Adam Downs said authorities didn’t spot the boy in the water at first because the water was “very murky.”

Ranburne Police Department

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Ranburne Police Department

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A 4-year-old boy reported missing from Alabama was found dead in a swimming pool, authorities said.

The Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post on Saturday, June 15, that the boy went missing near the area of ​​Cleburne County Road 49 and County Road 111 just before 6 p.m. local time.

Ranburne Police Chief Barry Nolen confirmed in a Facebook post around 10:30 p.m. Saturday that the boy had been found dead. “I would also like to ask everyone to keep the family in your prayers,” Nolan wrote.

Cleburne County Coroner Adam Downs confirmed the child’s identity in a statement to PEOPLE.

“I can confirm the death of DJ Jarrell. A 4-year-old child from Ranburne Al. He was found in a swimming pool in the backyard of his family home,” Downs said.

Related: Father drowns while saving three children from New Jersey river, police say

Authorities have not released any additional information at this time, including how the boy left the house unnoticed.

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Downs previously told AL.com that DJ “ran away” from his home and was found in the pool after a nearly two-hour search.

Related: Ohio Boy Drowns in Neighbor’s Pool After Walking Away From Home: ‘It’s Not Fair,’ Father Says

The coroner told the outlet that the boy’s family is urging other families with young children to be careful if they have a swimming pool.

Related: 2-Year-Old Boy Drowns in Family Member’s Pool, Police Say: ‘Every Parent’s Worst Nightmare’

“Please make sure they keep the gates locked and secured where a child cannot get into that pool,” Downs said.

He noted that authorities didn’t spot the boy in the pool at first because the water was “very murky.”

DJ’s drowning came just days after 5-year-old Kyrie Jefferson drowned in an apartment pool in Opelika, Alabama, ABC affiliate WTVM reported.

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