Missing two-year-old Xielo Maruziva’s mother said ‘he never fails to make me laugh or smile’ (Picture: Leicestershire Police / SWNS)
The ‘heartbreak’ continues as the search for a two-year-old who fell into a river continues into its fourth week.
More than 200 police officers and have been searching for Xielo Maruziva since the two-year-old fell into the River Soar.
But despite more the help of five specialist search and rescue teams providing more than 2,000 voluntary hours, the missing two-year-old still has not been found.
‘To be entering our fourth week of searching for Xielo without being able to locate him and return him to his family despite all the team’s efforts is heartbreaking’, Assistant Chief Constable Michaela Kerr said.
Described as a ‘cheeky’ and ‘funny’ boy by his parents, Xielo was walking along the River Soar’s towpath at Marsden Lane, near Aylestone, when he disappeared.
Leicestershire Police have obtained CCTV of the two-year-old falling into the water.
Search teams comb the water for signs of missing two-year-old Xielo Maruziva (Picture: Tom Maddick/SWNS)
A police diver from Nottinghamshire Police’s underwater search team searches the River Soar for two-year-old Xielo Maruziva (Picture: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)
Xielo’s father jumped in after his son in an effort to rescue his ‘bundle of joy’, but his rescue attempt was unsuccessful and he was hospitalised as a precaution afterwards.
Since then Leicestershire Police has conducted what it describes as ‘a dedicated and extremely complex search’ to locate Xielo and return him to his family.
His mother said: ‘Xielo is a cheeky, funny, friendly, smart, caring and independent little boy.
‘He never fails to make me laugh or smile and always loves a cuddle and some kisses.
‘Xielo loves playing with his toys and watching cartoons including Bino and Fino.’
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Officers are conducting daily patrols of the area during the search for Xielo.
Marine rescue dogs and a specialist diving team from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory have joined the search in the last seven days.
Even underwater experts involved in the search for Nicola Bulley have been drafted in to help.
Asst Chief Con Kerr said: ‘I know that the determination to find him is felt by all who have been involved in the search over the past three weeks, in all conditions, and we are all desperately trying to find answers for little Xielo’s family.
‘We do of course continue to support Xielo’s family at this most painful time and to keep them updated on our search.
‘I want to thank them for their bravery and their support to us throughout the last three weeks.
‘Our search for Xielo is continuing with specialist teams at the scene and our tactics and strategies continue to be reviewed as we move forward.
‘Our priority always has been and remains to find Xielo and to support his family.
‘I continue to thank everyone involved so far – to the teams involved in the search for your professionalism, dedication and commitment, and to the local community and wider public for your continued support and for coming together at this desperately sad time. Thank you.
‘We will of course continue to keep you updated with any significant developments as we continue to move forward in our search.’
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