Boy, 7, dies after wandering from summer camp

“I will be working closely with Boston Centers for Youth and Families and the Boston Police Department until we know exactly what happened”, Walsh said, adding that his thoughts and prayers are with the Willis family.

“Initial information led us to believe he went outside the building, that’s why out search concentrated toward his house, that was the information we had”, said Boston Police Commissioner Williams Evans.

Walsh, who returned to Boston from the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia early to attend to the tragedy, said a review of policies at all the city’s camps and drop-in programs has been underway since Tuesday night. He was found dead in the water off Carson Beach around 7 p.m. Tuesday. He was supposed to make his way to the bath house to change, but never showed up. State Police said K-9 units, State Police air and sea units, Coast Guard air units, and the Boston Police marine unit were involved in the search.

“My hope and expectation as mayor is that no family ever has to go through this type of loss”, said Walsh.

There is no surveillance video near the M Street Bathhouse. Walsh said at the press conference he had just met with Willis’ parents in Dorchester and that numerous details about what happened yesterday are under investigation.

“This is the worst part of our job”, Evans said. “They’re going through something that I don’t think anyone here wants to go through”, Evans said.

“From when we got that call, we worked the best we could to try to find that child”, Evans said. “It was quite an effort by everyone”. The community center is where the day camp is held and includes a beach bathhouse where the boy was seen. “My place is to be here in the City of Boston to support whoever needs to be supported, the family in particular”.