4-Year-Old, 6-Year-Old Drown in Michigan

Michigan’s lakes, rivers, and beaches have become scenes of heartbreaking tragedy this summer, with far too many lives lost in the water. Sadly, this weekend added two more fatalities to the growing list—and both victims were young children.

In two separate and unrelated incidents, a 4-year-old and a 6-year-old drowned, further contributing to a disturbing trend of water-related deaths across the state. These two join at least six others who drowned over the Fourth of July holiday weekend alone.

Tragedy at Long Lake in Kent County

The first tragedy occurred just after 8 p.m. on Friday night (7/25/2025), when the Kent County Sheriff's Office responded to a call from Long Lake, about 30 minutes north of Grand Rapids. A young child had been pulled from the water, unconscious and unresponsive.

Get our free mobile app

Sgt. Scott Dietrich of the Kent County Sheriff’s Office said medical responders and deputies arrived swiftly and attempted to revive the child, but sadly, the 4-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The loss of a young life is a tragedy no family should ever face,” Dietrich said. “Our thoughts are with the parents and loved ones as they grieve this unimaginable loss.”

Heartbreak on Belle Isle in Detroit

Then on Saturday at Detroit’s Belle Isle Park, another family was devastated when an autistic 6-year-old wandered away from a reunion. According to Michigan State Police, the child was reported missing and a search began. About an hour later, family members found the child in the river.

READ MORE: Michigan Teen in Critical Condition After Boat Explosion, Others Injured

CPR and a defibrillator were used in a desperate attempt to save the boy, who was rushed to a local hospital. Sadly, he was also pronounced dead.