HARRELLSVILLE – Tragedy struck here Friday night for one young family.

A boy was found dead of apparent drowning after he was reported missing shortly before. The child, Steven Ross Cannell, Jr., was only two years old.

Deputies were dispatched to 140 Mount Pleasant Wharf after a 911 call was placed by the boy’s mother just before 7 p.m.

Sarah Holloman told deputies she was preparing dinner and her son was asleep on the couch.

According to the police report, when the boy’s father came downstairs from sleeping and asked where the child was, she realized he was no longer on the couch.

Emergency personnel arrived on the scene and began searching for the boy with his mother’s help.

He was found around 7:30 p.m. in the Chowan River and was already deceased.

The house is located adjacent to the river. Hertford County Sheriff Juan Vaughn says the investigation is still ongoing. There were no other children in the home.