The search for 5-year-old Otalo Goncalves, who has been missing for more than a week in Rio Negrino, on the northern plateau of Santa Catarina, ends sadly.

Body with signs of Italo was found in the river near the orphanage – Photo: PC/Disclosure

According to the Military Fire Brigade, this Tuesday morning (7), while the brigade was planning a new day of searching, firefighters were alerted to the location of a body with characteristics of a child on one of the bends in the highway. river.

The river, by the way, was the focus of firefighters during several days of searching, as evidence suggested that the boy may have fallen into the water. The scientific police have been called in to confirm if the body is indeed Italo’s and to continue investigating the case.

“Unfortunately, this is not the way we would like to find it. We wish the deepest feelings to family and friends at this moment of sadness,” said Lieutenant Joao Ricardo Prohmann.

Evidence has led to the belief that the boy fell into the river – Photo: CBM/Disclosure

Since May 29, the day the child was last seen, police, firefighters and neighbors have been looking for the boy both on land and in the water. “He is gone, no one can sleep,” neighbor Isolda Machado said during the search.

The boy lived with his mother and aunt on the street between the Centro and Alegre districts. On his latest surveillance footage, he enjoyed playing with his dog around the neighborhood.