Search for 11-year-old who fell in Texas creek ends in tragedy, cops say
The body of a sixth grade boy who fell into a creek and never resurfaced was found several hours after a search through murky waters, Texas law officials said.
Deputies responded to a call around 6 p.m. April 3 about a child who had fallen into Cypress Creek in Spring, Mark Herman, Harris County Constable for Precinct 4, said in a Facebook post. After about four hours of rescuers diving and rafting through the water, another post confirmed his death.
“It is with heavy hearts that we inform you that the search for the eleven year old that fell into Cypress Creek has ended,” Herman said. “Rescue Teams have located the child and he has been confirmed deceased.”
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office’s dive team spearheaded the rescue effort, KHOU reported.
“It’s not a story with a happy ending, but you can imagine if it’s your loved one,” Capt. David Jasper, the team’s supervisor, told the outlet. “Without finding him, he’s a missing person and there’s no closure. You have to find the body.”
The boy fell into a portion of the creek that runs through a residential area, not far from Strack Intermediate School, where he attended, according to KBMT. The school district confirmed the name, Braydin Barlow, and that he was a student.
Spring is about a 25-mile drive north of Houston.
Drowning
As the weather warms and families nationwide return to outdoor activities, more drownings begin to occur.
At least 4,000 people die from drowning every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and drowning is a leading cause of death for children. For children between 5 and 14, it’s the second leading cause.
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance reports that most of those drownings happen in open water, like a creek. Their tips to help keep you safe in the water include checking local weather conditions, never swimming alone and choosing the right equipment.
“Don’t hesitate to get out of the water if something doesn’t feel right,” the group said on its website. “Whether it’s that the current is getting rough, rain has started to fall, or your body is just not responding like you would like it to due to fatigue or muscle cramps, then just leave and return to the water another day. It’s always a good thing to trust your instincts.”
This story was originally published April 4, 2025 at 5:46 PM with the headline "Search for 11-year-old who fell in Texas creek ends in tragedy, cops say."
