MACOMB COUNTY, MI — Tragedy in Harrison Township as Missing Toddler Found Dead in Clinton River
A heartbreaking incident has left the Harrison Township community reeling after a missing 2-year-old child was found unresponsive in the Clinton River late Monday morning and later pronounced dead, according to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office.
The tragedy began around 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 16, 2025, when deputies responded to an emergency call reporting a missing toddler from a residence on Manse Street in Harrison Township. The child was reportedly last seen near the family’s home, which sits close to the winding waters of the Clinton River.
Within approximately 30 minutes, law enforcement located the child in the nearby Clinton River, a waterway that borders much of the area surrounding Manse Street. Deputies immediately pulled the child from the water and rushed them to a nearby hospital while life-saving measures were being administered on the way. Tragically, despite all efforts by medical professionals, the toddler was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The child’s name and further identifying details have not yet been released as authorities notify the family and continue their investigation.
“This is every parent’s worst nightmare,” said a spokesperson for the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office in a brief statement to the press. “Our hearts are absolutely broken for this family, and we ask the community to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.”
The circumstances surrounding how the child ended up in the river remain under active investigation, with deputies working to determine the sequence of events that led to the child’s disappearance and subsequent drowning.
Local residents expressed shock and sorrow as news of the toddler’s death spread through the community. Several neighbors reported hearing sirens and seeing an increased police presence throughout the morning.
“It’s just devastating,” said one neighbor, visibly emotional. “One minute your child is there, and the next, something like this happens. It’s hard to even process.”
The Clinton River, while a natural feature of beauty in the area, can present dangers, especially for young children. In light of the incident, safety advocates are urging parents and guardians to review childproofing measures near bodies of water and ensure children are supervised at all times when outdoors.
Grief counselors and support services are expected to be made available to the affected family and the broader community in the coming days.
As the investigation continues, anyone with information about the events leading up to the child’s disappearance is encouraged to contact the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office.
This tragic loss serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of community vigilance and support. The hearts of Harrison Township and Macomb County go out to the grieving family in this time of unimaginable sorrow.