Good Samaritan saves 2-year-old boy missing on Belle Isle

DETROIT (WJBK) - A 2-year-old boy who disappeared on Belle Isle was rescued from the waters by a good Samaritan on Monday. The child was spending Labor Day at the state park with his family, but went missing around 7:30 p.m.

State troopers and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officers joined the search. Officials originally believed the boy may have been kidnapped.

"One of the good things about being on Belle Isle is there's only one way in and one way out. So we were able to close down the island and start checking some cars," said Michigan State Police Lieutenant Mike Shaw.

With no luck, everyone on the beach soon joined the search. State police say the boy was missing roughly 15 minutes, when he was spotted about 25 yards offshore. The boy was floating on his back, but still alive and breathing.

That's when witnesses say a man who identified himself as an off-duty firefighter jumped in to get the boy.

"He brought him back in. We were able to contact EMS to bring him to children's hospital, where, for some lucky reason, he's basically fine," said Shaw.

Police say he was treated and released on Tuesday. Following protocol, MSP will follow-up with child protective services. For now, they're grateful to everyone who helped, and baffled the boy made it out alive.

Shaw says "I think it was just pure luck, so we'll take luck every time."