OMAHA TOT WAS DROWNED SUNDAY AT DESOTO BEND

A 5-year-old Omaha boy drowned Sunday at Desoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge.

The body of Bryan Henry, son of Gary Henry, of 3663 Curtis Avenue, was found in 4 ½ feet of water four minutes after he was reported missing by his father.

Kermit Dybsetter, refuge manager, said the main swimming lake was cleared at 5 p.m. for a routine safety check and the boy was last seen at about 5:07 p.m. His father reported him missing at about 5:17 p.m., Dybsetter said.

They body was found 75 yards from the beach by Brent Peterson, of Blair, one of four lifeguards conducting a search.

The boy was taken to a hospital by the Missouri Valley, Is., rescue squad and was pronounced dead on arrival.

The boy’s father and three other children were in a picnic area near the beach, Dybsetter said, and the youngster apparently strayed away.

The drowning was the first of the year at Desoto Bend.