6-year-old found in critical condition in Lynch Cove

A 6-year-old child reported missing Friday morning in Dundalk was found in Lynch Cove and taken to Bayview Medical Center in critical condition, a Baltimore County Fire Department spokesperson said.

Baltimore County police began searching for Marcel Traoren around 7 a.m. after he disappeared, probably two hours earlier, near Sandy Plains Elementary School, spokeswoman Joy Stewart said. The search was then extended to Lynch Cove.

Baltimore County firefighters joined the search around 9 a.m. with 25 divers and more than 75 personnel total, according to spokesman Travis Francis Sr.

Around 11:30 a.m., neighbors were gathered around the creek as Baltimore County fire and police departments neared the end of their hours-long search for the child, who is nonverbal and has autism. Minutes later, a body was loaded into an ambulance.

Francis said EMS crews began “resuscitating efforts.” The child was taken to the hospital around 11:43 a.m.

People standing around a tree near the cordoned off search site quickly appeared to become upset. One woman attempted to walk past the caution tape and was held back by others. Tears streamed down the faces of people in bare socks and hats, who appeared to have left the house with the clothes on their backs. Screams could be heard from distant houses and some complained loudly about what was wrong. Neighbors and friends identified these people as members of the child's family.

“I had a feeling they found him,” said Lou Smith, a family friend, who said he worked with members of the child's family at the Presbyterian Church in 'Inverness, at around 11:35 a.m. Moments later, a woman in the group near the tree shouted: “No, no, no, no” and collapsed to the ground, surrounded by others.

“It’s a sorry day,” Smith said.

Lynch Cove connects to Bear Creek, a tributary of the Patapsco River. The area is home to Lynch Cove Park, Inverness Park, and the West Inverness Park Boat Launch. It is unclear how deep the water was where Traoren was found.

“Unfortunately, that's what we're seeing once the weather warms up,” Francis said, encouraging parents to do everything they can to not let their children near the water unsupervised during the winter months. 'summer.

Dundalk resident Dwayne Van Pelt Sr., who saw the news on a Dundalk-area community Facebook group post, said he remembers hearing about past drownings in Lynch Cove during his 31 years of living in the area. He said he had come to help with search and rescue efforts if civilian aid was needed.

“The kids go down there. They dive off the pier, go swimming,” said Van Pelt Sr. “The child was non-verbal. How to cry for help?

This story may be updated.