Kayaker rescues child from St. Louis River

David Jones, Jr. was fishing when he heard the 6-year-old screaming, and then saw him floating in the river by himself, about 300 yards from shore. WCCO's John Lauritsen talked with Jones about the heroic rescue and how he managed to stay calm in a stressful situation.

[@ybhomes6003]

I'm with David. Something is suspicious.

[@jonothandoeser]

He had questions.

[@ahtanumj]

Damn. I HAVE QUESTIONS

[@tonyt1604]

Life insurance fraud

[@ybhomes6003]

@@tonyt1604 Sad, but I was thinking the same thing. 😔

[@candykane4271]

Someone is allowing these parents to fail once, bet there will be another incident. Parents are no where in sight, boat no where…didn’t look that windy. Bet alcohol or drugs. Dam sad.

[@Olokunful]

"David, still has a lot of questions." So do we all.

[@agua9999]

The dad wanted his son to disappear (permanently). Thank God for David … what a hero!!!

[@ItsMeHello555]

What a piece of crap Father this young lad has. His life will be a tough one, if this is their idea of love and protection. Thank you, David. It didn’t look like favorite weather for fishing. I’m glad he listened to that inner voice.

[@britzel71]

I watched the full video and I'm in horror that the father isn't being looked into. That poor child. The father literally said that he was saved from a ton of hassle by the man gets him. Also, when the man said he was going to call 911 the lil boy lost it and became extremely upset...what child at his age reacts that way unless something is going on and they've been told not to talk to cops etc... This was a chance I fear to get this child help and was completely dropped 😔

[@slavefeet57]

This was my exact thought. That kid was absolutely okay until they mentioned the police, he's either been told they're bad and not to talk to them, or he's called them before and gotten punished for it and fears his dad's reaction.

[@britzel71]

@@slavefeet57 Bingo...That's Exactly it! I pray the man who rescued him will continue to investigate as he stated. That lil boy is not in a good home!

[@slavefeet57]

@@britzel71 I also find the dad's somewhat sly remark I believe we'll see each other again soon comment very suspicious as well.

[@britzel71]

@@slavefeet57 Exactly, there's something really off with the dad!

[@Soul-Taker]

Can you provide a link to the full video?

[@kpepperl319]

The father claims the kid lost hold of the rope that was tied to his boat... It was 57f that day, who in their right mind would let a 6 year old swim in the river? This little boy was not appropriately dressed to swim in cold water, but at least he had his life jacket and his strong will to survive. The fact that the father wasn't charged for neglect is insane.

[@marilynalspachtoth5635]

That neglect charge should be a no brainer. Descent parents wouldn’t let a kid play in the backyard without appropriate clothing at that temp , let alone put them in a river.

[@mehere8038]

I thought it looked like he was wearing a wetsuit in the kayak footage but when he got out, um yeh, not great! As a sailor in dingies since being a kid, I don't necessarily think there's a problem in letting kids learn lessons about the cold & get cold for short periods, BUT if there's a strong current & it's that cold, it's almost a foregone conclusion that the kid will lose his grip on the rope as the cold sets in, so absolutely negligent to have the kid in the water without having taken that into account & prepared for it, either dad in the water with him, or safety harness on him, so he can be safely pulled back in. As a kid, I've sailed in conditions so cold & windy that I've ended up cramped up & unable to even hold the ropes so as to sail back to shore, but there were rescue boats out there monitoring us all, so they pushed us to get the sails down ourselves, so as to learn to cope, which we managed (but they were going to step in if we really couldn't), then they towed us back in, to where the adults were waiting & supervising that we got the boats out of the water & we were appropriately re-warmed & had no potential to wander off or do anything dumb that could put our lives at risk (when it's that cold, the water feels warm, so it's very tempting to just stay in the water & not get out & get changed into warm dry clothes, the adults were there to make sure none of us were able to do that or anything else that was dangerous & that we were beyond understanding was because of how cold we were) This was absolutely negligent & needs action taken!

[@anavan7]

@@mehere8038 Spot on comment.

[@blahblah1104]

He sounded drunk when he was talking to the kayaker 😤

[@maggieim295]

Red flags

[@toddwinegar7365]

As a kayak angler that just freakin Made my day! Dude you are a hero.

[@David-wk6md]

Nice catch too

[@curtisloftis6003]

GREAT JOB DAVID!!!!!!

[@andersonomo597]

Thank God that little boy was wearing a life jacket - but where the hell were the parents!! Mr jones is a LEGEND, a true hero. May the rest of his life be blessed!!

[@ladislaoortiz8420]

Why was he not reported missing.??

[@astrinymris9953]

At least they put him in a life jacket. Look, we don't know the full story of what happened yet, and what we do know sounds suss, but I'm in favor of waiting for more intel before judging them. Not hatin', just sayin'.

[@slavefeet57]

@@astrinymris9953 the dad was in a sailboat on the other side of the river the full video is up where he and the dad talk... honestly I'm amazed the cops didn't charge him for neglect.

[@regil93]

The father never even came back to look for him

[@rasmusgustavsson1]

@@astrinymris9953 I heard that his father was drunk.

[@jasonscott7803]

What a brave little man and thank goodness David heard this young lad.

[@joanna7350]

I am glad I was not out there cause I'm the kind to have earbuds in listening to music while doing things like this and I would have never heard him.

[@justicewillprevail1106]

His father was no where in sight. What a strange incident. You’d think if you lost a kid, you’d be following the kid like a hawk or dive into the water to save him. But nope. Very weird.

[@agua9999]

I think the dad wanted to get rid of that boy (permanently)! Can’t believe the police didn’t charge him with negligence at the very least!!?

[@lajuanaraye]

What a hero! We need more people in our world like him!

[@eyesup9542]

Thank God for this man! Why was nobody looking for this child????

[@juliaweber212]

I'm sure they were

[@marymoonen4001]

@@juliaweber212 they weren’t sadly

[@stevenhulbert7540]

I wanted to know where the dad was with his boat looking for him? Who was on the porch?

[@annsipes6780]

They weren’t. The dad’s attitude at the end of the original video is like he thought his son would swim back. No big deal!

[@joanna7350]

@@annsipes6780 at that point, I would have been hysterically looking for him or screaming at authorities to look harder. his reaction to seeing his son ok was like having a bowel movement.

[@carolynthornton8017]

IN MY VIEW I can’t comprehend how that child ended up in the water alone like that. That is crazy.

[@sysbofh]

We don´t have the whole story. It may be anything - from child abuse to "man overboard, strong winds, where the hell is he?" It's easy to forget that the boat could be doing 12 - 15mph. At this speed, in a overboard case, we don't have much time until it's really hard to find the person.

[@jenk4545]

@@sysbofh The dad just left the boy there and went back to the house. He wasn't worried about his son at all.

[@sysbofh]

@@jenk4545 My god, really? That's awful!

[@whiskybrush3219]

@@sysbofh there is a 9 minute video. Doesnt explain how the kid got in the water, but basically the current highjacked the kid and the wind higgjacked the dad's sailboat. He ended up near a bank and walked his craft to where the kid was taken on shore.

[@kristalm9318]

One why was the father back at home and two why weren't the authorities called right away by that father for the coast guard or DNR to search!

[@stevenhulbert7540]

Well done Mr Jones Jr, I want to know why the father wasn't still in his boat looking for his son!

[@concernedamerican6961]

Happy the Kayaker found him but the real question is "how did he get there?" 😳

[@thegreatcatsby409]

300 yards from shore!!!! Oh my goodness!!!! Thank goodness he was there to help that boy 🙏

[@ms.laterholmes2890]

Yeah that seems very strange and that man was just standing there looking at them like oh you running back that was weird. David you are awesome thank you so much

[@lindseysutton2761]

Actually the man at the house was just the first home they came to. If you find the whole video the dad is in it at the end. And seemingly not sober when he tells David "you saved me a lot of hassle" ..like what???

[@marilynalspachtoth5635]

What an absolute solid man. Poor kid needed a hero. Mr. Jones could be a model on top of being a hero.

[@naptastik]

The dad clearly tried to murder this boy. Sailboat was nowhere in sight?!!! He was at HOME! Why weren’t the authorities called? He should have been taken to a HOSPITAL TO AT LEAST be evaluated for hypothermia!!! This is insanity.

[@MsBrendalina]

And, if you watch the full video, the boy has a meltdown when his rescuer says he's calling 911. This poor kid is clearly coming from an abusive home and I hope his parents are being investigated

[@aslater5]

Finally! Someone says it!

[@agua9999]

@@MsBrendalinaI’ll come right out & say it: that dad wanted his son to disappear (permanently)!!! The police should’ve at least charged him with negligence. Thank God for David… what an absolute hero‼️

[@fullyloadedwp]

Super hero! Thank God for this outdoorsman. Well done good man!

[@annsipes6780]

Thank goodness the fisherman David was there to save the young boy. I also would have questions about the father’s actions & not going after to save his son.

[@booseves677]

What happened to his dad? This wrong on so many levels. Please tell me that the parents were held liable and charged. that poor baby.

[@jonothandoeser]

He was abandoned to the cold waves.

[@QJacPLo]

I think his dad was trying to let him die.

[@agua9999]

@@QJacPLo100% agree!! That dad wanted his kid to disappear (permanently)!!!

[@lesliepropheter5040]

Great footage, thx for the coverage, you too might have saved this kids life. When the kayaker returned the boy to his supposed ‘home’, the boy didn’t appear to be greeted, there was no outrage as to his condition, no yelling for a towel or a jacket in case of hypothermia…. Did y’all not notice that??? We would appreciate an update on this news story! Thankyou

[@nikiTricoteuse]

Same. Pretty appalled to be honest. Poor wee boy. Hope social services are investigating.

[@kjkayjay]

That wasn't his home. Go watch the rescuer's 9 min. video @DJ Hot Cue (the Steezy Cartel)

[@lesliepropheter5040]

@@kjkayjay 👍👀

[@crypton_8l87]

Exactly!!

[@crystaldawn9255]

That was not his home. Those were other citizens

[@deedeewinfrey3181]

Always wear your life vest in and around the water. Thank you David ❤

[@rez3501]

God Bless this man. He is a hero. Poor little boy. Im glad hes pursuant to find out what happened. 6 years old? 🥺 If he was my baby I would have going nuts and would have held him tight for the rest of the day 💔

[@marieobrien9708]

My family did something like that, but different. The three of us were fishing on Woods Lake. It connects to Kalamalka Lake in Lake Country outside of Kelowna. It was really blustery in morning. The waves on the lake were white-capping. I had seen a blue and silver boat towing another boat back to the boat launch. Not long after, that same coloured boat was flipped upside. The father called out, "Hey." My dad heard him and said, "What was that?" He gasped seeing the overturned boat and told mom and I to "reel in your lines quickly!" We all reeled in lines and sped to the father and son. They both had their lifejackets on. Mom and I pulled the boy into our boat, but we couldn't pull father in because our was at full capacity of people. Thankfully, a fellow with a bigger boat came by and helped. He took the father. We all went to the closest shoreline to turn the their boat right side up. They lost a fish-finder, some rods and a tackle box. However, they didn't lose their fish, cooler with the food and other things. According to the father, this rogue wave got into the back of their boat and that's how it flipped over. The boat had an air pocket, so that's why it didn't sink. The fellow that helped towed the boat back to the boat launch because the gas motor was ruined. Later on at Orchard Plaza, dad and I saw the same father and son, but this time the whole family of six was together: the father, mother, three sons and a daughter. We didn't expect to see them so soon. The mother thanked us for saving her husband and eldest son. My dad then told them and me, "Of all the Search and Rescue missions I've been on in the army, I've never rescued or saved a life until today. This was my first rescue."

[@river8760]

I’m from near that area, I grew up just above Kal and my friend lives on Wood lake. These lakes pick up quickly when it’s windy and so many people aren’t prepared for that! It’s great you were able to help them and they’re OK, you sound very compassionate.

[@agua9999]

Thank God your family saved them!!

[@Sparrow9612]

Nicely done, David. That boy needs a nice warm blanket and lots and lots of love right about now.

[@before3340]

Bless this Man for his Heroic efforts. Stayed cool, kept the Boy calm and saved his life.

[@sourcehauntings8851]

Ummmmm- CPS needs to swoop in for real

[@brandymahoney9452]

It took too long for me to see this comment!!!! My first thought!!!!

[@agua9999]

@@brandymahoney9452it seems like the dad wanted his kid to “disappear” (permanently). Thank God that there was a hero who saved that boy.

[@brigidbac1438]

Way to go David. Blessings from Fort Lauderdale, Florida

[@juliaweber212]

The boy had a life jacket thank goodness

[@laurakyplain2413]

Makes my heart so sad, please protect those beautiful angels

[@marionhartmann240]

My heart breaks for that little guy. Thank god there was a caring hero to rescue him. What parent doesn’t realize their 6 year old has disappeared while on the River?

[@Flufflesmom]

I watched the whole 9 minute video and his dad being located…. Something is VERY wrong here. That father was putting it on his child, saying “he (the child) got nervous!” And was acting incredibly strange. I think he was trying to kill his child. Child protective services NEEDS to follow up with this!!

[@blahblah1104]

Plus he sounded and acted drunk 🤨

[@agua9999]

I agree that the dad was hoping his kid would drown. Thank God that David was able to save him!!

[@ReneeVaughter]

The Dads reaction can be seen here along with the full video of the boys rescue. The father literally says, "Thanks, you saved me a lot of hassle." to David. "Hassle"! Also while in the water the child said, "I yelled and yelled for my dad but he just wouldn't listen to me." He also had a meltdown while getting warm when he learned they had to call 911. He kept begging and begging them not to call and that he was terrified of them doing that. The father also said something to the effect of, "you can make it to shore, it's not that bad." The father clearly needs to be charged and held accountable here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hH64ioewf7afZ68

[@bn4813]

I just watched the full video and definitely feel like something is weird about the whole thing. The dad evens says it’s happened before!

[@ClintByrne]

Agreed I hope something is done to protect this kid

[@shout4637]

Very super shady and criminal!! I would investigate him for a life insurance policy scam and I would lock 🔐 him up fast for severe childendangerment and/ or attempted murder. No excuse for this evil piece of sh_t father!! No loving parent would ever let this happen to anyone they love.,especially not an innocent child!! Children ' s safety is highest priority! I can't believe that they let him go 🤔🙄

[@Margoqw2]

Thank you, Jesus, for this hero.

[@kevenstone1262]

Super hero bro !!!!!! God sent you fishing that day for a special reason 🙏🏼

[@ShutTheMuckUp]

Imaginary sky daddy to the rescue! Funny how god is never to blame when the person dies...

[@christinalynn8143]

Hopefully the child is assured a safe home, upbringing. Seems a sweet kid.

[@norml.hugh-mann]

? Maybe till hes 18...then to the wolves he will go just like us all

[@joanna7350]

the way he reacted in the other video when his rescuer said he was going to call 911 implies child abuse to me.

[@basedblackgirl9920]

All children are sweet. None of them deserve to be put in any kind of horrible situation

[@hamsterstyle6152]

@@norml.hugh-mannpeople like you are so annoying, you’re like a male pick-me. Cool feminine energy bruh. You’re so special and cool, we just don’t understand huh? I guess you’re just too special for the rest of the world. Stfu. 😅

[@herewasbob7650]

I went tubing out in GA last week and it was still shockingly cold in the river. I can't imagine how cold it would have been up there.

[@aliciaroot2201]

Wow! That was that little boy guardian angle David!! Thank God. He's my hero!! Yeah!!

[@cristetaabalos7586]

Your a good person .you save that boys life and that boy is very smart did not gave up. It meant to be that the two of you met ,this is forever to remember GOD BLESS for the of you.

[@katgrey6239]

Bless you and the little boy!!!

[@znycelondon5313]

Divine intervention. We none of us know what the situation was that allowed the young boy to be stranded…… Hopefully the authorities were able to intervene and get all the facts and have the situation resolved !

[@GODLY29ER]

Nobody was watching him that's what happened may God bless you for saving that child

[@albeit1]

Thank you, sir. You did everything correctly. The training paid off.

[@stephenhartford6697]

Thank you for saving that little guy

[@angelicjayne7547]

Thankfully this precious little boy was rescued. I pray that God keeps him safe. His parents are accountable for their actions, the lack of responsibility towards this little brave and beautiful soul is alarming! Thank you Lord for having this amazing man David out there at this exact moment. 🙏❤️

[@denisemezynski8014]

David is an Excellent officer.....we Need ALL LE to be like this Man. The dad on other hand is bat poop crazy, just wat he spoke, his words, etc.....we need No LE like this!! Wish all BEST for David and his Family!

[@marlahanna]

That there is Superman! Thank you for rescuing the little guy.

[@dardar1862]

Why!?!? Why was a kid so far out by himself!?!😣 Blessings for your good soul!!!🙏❤️🙏

[@moif]

We can all be heroes. Just remember to be humble like this one.

[@MrsCole-or7oj]

This man is an angel. God bless them all!

[@marcowens651]

This could be traumatizing for this kid into the future. He may never want to be on a boat of any kid. Some parents have this dismissive attitude toward their children believing they have the same abilities as adults. They do not and the reason they have parents to protect them and guide them. From the father’s reaction it would best for this child to be raised by someone who would love and protect him into adult hood. This could have been a very tragic story. I want to understand what the father means by we have been through this before. I hope he doesn’t mean leaving this little boy alone in the middle of a lake. Authorities can’t ignore this. Someone needs to keep an eye on this father.

[@shadowknows5750]

The ultimate WTF? Cheers for saving him. Absolutely Priceless.

[@garygerard4290]

now THAT is a feel good story God bless this guy

[@janedee6126]

Poor baby boy. Kids suffer so much in this world at the hands of adults, I swear..

[@tonyposillo8803]

Two good strong people can do anything. Glad this outcome was good. Good on the man for stepping in and the young man for holding on and staying strong in a tough situation.

[@axoman3041]

Well done Dave! You just saved a life

[@TT-hi1qv]

This brought tears to my eyes what a great guy you are!! thankfully you heard him he is a lucky little boy!

[@sarahhornsby6374]

God bless you. You was an Angel to that boy

[@kundrew1990]

Nice to see decency in action. Good job man.

[@GratefulAmerican]

God bless David Jones Jr

[@profitprophets1363]

I'm so glad you got him ok!!! You did so amazingly it's so good to see him calming down when he knew he was safe. Well done man!!

[@watchdog8058]

thank goodness he was there at just the right time and could help that poor boy! what a hero!!

[@lovejumanji5]

Life vest saved his life too....!!!! Thank god he had it on .

[@rvirnig8469]

Thank you so much!!!

[@snowkracker]

Parent of the year award goes to this kids dad chilling on his sailboat somewhere.

[@ShutTheMuckUp]

Free at last

[@indyladd5269]

Thank you for helping that baby!!!!! God bless you!❤❤

[@michelleadamchak1330]

Thank God for David. He's a definite hero!! He did so well with that terrified little boy! Glad the little safe with his family.

[@christinalynn8143]

Makes me angry seeing this. Makes me sick, to consider what could've happened if the kayaker had not been there to rescue the child. Thank God he was there and was able to help before anything else occurred.

[@jonothandoeser]

Did his father abandon him in the cold waves?

[@christinalynn8143]

@@jonothandoeser The reports on the local news seems to suggest the family was on a sailboat and the kid was swimming with a lifejacket on while the sailboat 'drifted' away. It was also indicated that there may have been alcohol involved in the voyage and that 'this' may not have been the 'first time, this type of thing happened with that child. No matter what occurred here, no child is found in the water alone without a call in to the coastguard or local authority to report the kid missing. It is odd, very.

[@jonothandoeser]

@@christinalynn8143 The first thing that came to my mind was alcohol. I mean, the kid didn't cry out to his Dad as he was drifting further and further away? And like you said, no call to 911 for a child missing in the water? And who wouldn't keep an eye on a kid who's floating in a lifejacket away/outside the boat? There is definitely something "fishy" going on.

[@christinalynn8143]

@@jonothandoeser The child should be removed from the home. (if it hasn't happened yet) The matter should be investigated. If determined this was the second time this happened, that'll be enough to say, the parental rights are relinquished. As a parent you do not leave your toddler child flopping around as that of a fish in the water, if it had been a long time, the child would've died, out there in that water. Unacceptable.

[@jonothandoeser]

@@christinalynn8143 I totally agree.

[@nevermore4971]

Thank you David ❤️❤️❤️

[@EWAMILENAP]

Thank you for saving this boy's life!💕👍👏👌

[@peggycearnach8034]

So the boy was swimming next to the sailboat while holding on to a rope ??? Then he couldn’t keep hold of it so the dad told his six year old to swim back to the shore? What was the water temperature? I hope someone good hearted saves that little boy next time he’s put in grave danger. Cruel.

[@candykane4271]

I’m suspicious dad couldn’t work the sails. Some people do stupid stuff.

[@shandoolie]

Mr Jones you are a hero man.

[@crossface222]

Absolute hero. Thank God for that man.

[@sparkyobrian6417]

Fantastic !! what a real hero !

[@TrillMatic187]

The father seemed intoxicated. He had slurred speech and was rambling. A stranger just saved his son from freezing waters and what he had to say was “you saved me so much hassle” and ended the conversation with “I might be seeing you again” the kid even started crying when 911 was mentioned. That father should’ve been arrested and charged with child negligence.

[@kailaniandi]

Thankfully he had a life jacket on. Extremely careless parent, to allow him in the water. I am lashed to my sailboat when not in the cockpit. No one on my vessel ever needs to panic. Every crew member gets taught via 'man overboard' drills, how to recover someone from the water. The first thing to do is sound the alarm, and keep your eyes on the person overboard. He was lucky to be rescued, considering he would be less than a foot above the water at the most

[@annhollowell5352]

Thankyou so much David for saving that poor little boy. The family need investigating 100%. The person on the porch didn't even bother to comfort that little boy or even check if he was ok...

[@sylvia106]

I love you, kayaking man!

[@christopherbradley5575]

Thank God for that good man. Im thinking a CPS investigation would be appropriate here.

[@Querencia7779]

Hero! My god, this man was a godsend!

[@darladeal1194]

Wow, your a hero for real and I'm sure ur always going to be this little guy's hero!!

[@archie_football74]

Well done buddy

[@LuckySpinster.]

My new hero David Jones Jr. 💜

[@christinegonzales6788]

God bless you praying for you David

[@jessieshepherd6642]

Humanity at it's best! Thank you, may Gaia bless you!

[@hotgirl4801]

way to go!! amazing man!!

[@herbert993]

This is the type of hero people should be praising all over the world instead of drug addicts like St. George

[@melodieshimon]

Omg 😱 definitely need a follow up and that man is a hero he saved that young boys life

[@isaacstone7899]

Thanks man for rescue him, I hope he will remember next time not to swim far alone.

[@MegaBev]

Glad he was there to help

[@okolona1]

This guy is GREAT

[@ruthc8407]

Good job Mr. Jones.

[@timgraaff7551]

You’re a good man with a good heart. You’ll reap the benefits of that one day.

[@outlawevangelist]

It appears from first glance that the father was expecting to teach his son a lesson about survival in the water by leaving him there and making him swim ashore. A child that young should not be treated in that manner and especially not without supervision every step of the way.

[@shanesanko1408]

Great for him yeah I'd want to know where did his dad go on the boat something fishy

[@nancyprawdzik8348]

A miracle!

[@andreabarbieri9518]

the boy and the David were simply amazing !! that father , that father ...I would like to talk with him 10 minutes alone possibly far from everyone, he will come back a better man ...

[@thatguyagain-rv9wn]

That kid inadvertently saved that fish's life

[@duff59ful]

David your awesome!