Deceased/Not Found IN - Owen Jones, 4, swept away in flooded creek, Delphi, 23 May 2019

[PastTense]

"DELPHI, Ind. – Temporarily damming a portion of Deer Creek in Delphi allowed state conservation officers and dozens of safety officers from Delphi, Carroll County and surrounding counties to get a closer look at log jams in a search for a 4-year-old boy who has been missing since being swept away by high waters in May.

But during a daylong effort Friday, they couldn’t find Owen Jones, who was last seen May 23 during a family outing at Riley Park, a popular spot a few blocks from Delphi’s courthouse square...

DNR searched daily for Owen in the weeks after witnesses at Riley Park reported seeing the boy caught up in the flooded creek near the Washington Street Bridge. In the past two months, Dulin said the search continued during regular water patrols that included the Wabash River and the Deer Creek, when water levels were high enough. Divers have checked deeper areas of the creek, as well."
Dam built, logjams cleared but 4-year-old missing 3 months later in Deer Creek

 

[PommyMommy]

AUG 28, 2019
Recovery effort continues for Delphi boy lost in Deer Creek
[...]

Jones’s family is reportedly working with out-of-state resources to eventually have a different team of cadaver dogs search the area, in the event that he is trapped under an obstruction in Deer Creek.

DNR said it is still possible that Jones made it to the Wabash River.

DNR is asking the public to be observant as they boat or hike in the area, and to report anything possibly related to this case. They are also reminding the public that Jones was wearing a blue sleeveless t-shirt with a red and white star on the front, and blue shorts.

[...]

AUG 29, 2019
Indiana DNR still searching Delphi creek for body of 4-year-old
[...]

Multiple agencies worked together Friday to find Owen but were unsuccessful. They used cranes, removed logs and even searched the mud by hand.

Indiana Department of Natural Resources officers think the boy's body could be trapped under an obstruction in Deer Creek or might have made it to the Wabash River.

[...]

AUG 30, 2019
DNR seeks public's help in search for boy swept away in May - 95.3 MNC
[...]

Owen Jones is presumed dead after getting caught in Deer Creek’s rain-swollen current on May 23 during a family outing at a park in Delphi, about 60 miles northwest of Indianapolis.

Conservation officer Lt. Dan Dulin tells the Journal & Courier he’s urging people using Deer Creek and the Wabash River, about three miles (5 kilometers) downstream, to look for signs of the Monticello (mahn-tuh-SEL’-oh) boy and to report anything they see to police.

Months of searches along both waterways have proved fruitless. A portion of Deer Creek was dammed last week, but a search of log jams there found no sign of the boy.

[...]

 

[Gardener1850]

Owen is in NAMUS: The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

 

[JerseyGirl]

Six months after boy goes missing in creek, mother shares family's good news

 

[PommyMommy]

Six months after boy goes missing in creek, mother shares family's good news

From the article:

[...]

News 18 sat down with BJ, Owen's mother, who said since he has been gone, she has had to live her life day-by-day to get through this.

[...]

Brittany explained each day is different, some are good and some are bad. With no success in this search, she doesn't know when, or if, she will ever get closure.

[...]

Sgt. Blaine Gillon said the DNR has had conversations with the Jones family about the future of the search, and possibly ending it. However, nothing has been decided.

[...]

"Over a month ago they came and collected me and my husband's DNA and put him in the missing person's database," BJ said. "Right now it's kind of just a waiting game to see if he's found somewhere else."

[...]

Someone heard her prayers. Brittany is six months pregnant.

[...]

Brittany told News 18 God knew what her family needed before she did. Turns out, she was pregnant just two days before Owen went missing.

She said her daughter, who is surrounded by brothers, is very happy to have a baby sister soon.

[...]

While the Jones family prepares to welcome a new member, they plan to keep traditions the same so Owen never feels far away.

"I still plan on putting his stocking and stuff up because he's still a part of our family. He's always going to be with me," Brittany said.

[...]

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Conservation officers believe Owen removed his shoes, which were found nearby, and went to wade in the water — which is normally shallow, but had recently risen because of heavy rain. Witnesses saw Owen being swept downstream before he disappeared below the surface of the water.

One year later, his body has still not been recovered.

This Memorial Day weekend, conservation officers are asking anyone boating, fishing or hiking along Deer Creek or along the Wabash River to be observant for signs of Owen. He was last seen wearing a blue sleeveless shirt with a red and white star on the front. If you spot these or similar items of clothing, or any suspected human remains please contact your local law enforcement agency or Indiana conservation officers at 812-837-9536.

Indiana Conservation Officers remind Hoosiers planning to spend time around water during this holiday weekend that water levels in many local waterways are again higher than normal. Extra precautions should be taken when on or near the water. Wear a life jacket and be aware of floating debris. If the current appears fast and the water is muddy, stay out of the water. The danger of moving water is often underestimated and adding the cold water temperature currently present in many areas into any situation decreases the chance of surviving an accident.
https://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/body-of-4-year-old-who-went-missing-in-deer-creek-one-year-ago-still-missing

 

[PommyMommy]

A Memorial Service for Owen was held on June 13, 2020.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/jconline/name/owen-jones-obituary?id=8963401

Monticello - Owen Lee Jones, 4 years of age, passed on May 23, 2019 after an unfortunate accident. He is described as a boy who loved playing outside, exploring the outdoors, trains, and his imaginary dinosaur friend that lived in the wall of his bedroom. But he most loved being a brother ...

Rest in peace, little man.