Mum begs ‘bring me back my baby please’ as authorities search for 14-year-old boy missing in Texas river after falling from boat with his friend who last saw him face down in the water
- Conner Curtice, 14, disappeared while boating with a friend in the Neches River, Texas, on a Memorial Day trip on Monday
- Her mother Ashlea asks for prayers as they try to find her body in the river
A Texas mother, whose teenage son disappeared in a river while on a boat trip, has asked for help to “bring my baby back to me”.
Conner Curtice, 14, disappeared while boating with a friend in the Neches River on a Memorial Day trip on Monday – and a desperate search mission was quickly launched to find him.
The boy was traveling in a flat-bottomed boat with an 18-year-old, and as they were sailing, the ship veered sharply, throwing them both into the water.
Conner was last seen face down, before sliding into the water.
Her mother Ashlea asks for prayers as they try to find her body in the river. She wrote online: “GOD…Please bring my baby back to me…PLEASE.”
Conner Curtice, 14, disappeared while boating with a friend in the Neches River on a Memorial Day trip on Monday – and a desperate search mission was quickly launched to find him. His body has still not been found
Ashlea and her missing son Conner (right) with her two other children
The mother posted an image of the river where her son disappeared with the tragic caption
Conner Curtice has been missing since Monday
Captain Ryan Hall, of Texas Parks & Wildlife, said in a statement: “The two friends were in a flat-bottomed boat with a tiller.
“They were both sitting at the back of the boat, side by side.
“There is a small plug in the boat where the water collects in the back.
“The driver, an 18-year-old, allegedly told the 14-year-old to hold the engine while the operator removed some of the water.
“The operator leaned over and the boat veered sharply as the helm motor spun. He threw them both in the water.
“The operator was wearing a circuit breaker.
“He got back up and got back in the boat.
“He saw the 14-year-old face down over the water, but he was too far to reach him quickly. The 14-year-old slipped underwater.
Her mother Ashlea (pictured) asks for prayers as they try to find her body in the river
Mother Ashlea, missing Conner, and her two other sons Clay and Colby
Locals, family and friends by the river as the search continues for Conner, 14
A desperate search mission was quickly launched to find the teenager
Family and friends took to social media to ask for prayers for Conner.
A family friend said, “My heart is so heavy and my prayers are answered! Dear God, please find Conner! Be with this precious family at this most difficult time and be with the search team to help find him!
Another added: “We raise this young man to you, Lord. Let’s flood Texas with prayers.
Last night, before the search resumed this morning, another family friend said: ‘The search has been called off now that it is dark. It will resume in daylight early tomorrow morning.
“They have closed the ship channel so that no boat can enter or leave this area. Please continue your prayers for Conner, Ashlea Rae, Josh Curtice, Clay, Colby and their entire family.
“It’s a parent’s worst nightmare and my heart breaks for them. Please stop whatever you are doing and pray. Please pray to our God who is greater than anything we could face. Please, please pray.
