LOUISBURG, N.C. — The body of a missing 7-year-old boy from Franklin County has been found, according to Franklin County Sheriff Kevin White.

The boy fell into the Tar River while playing near the water March 17, according to the State Bureau of Investigation.

"He and two other teenagers were playing near the Tar River," according to Chad Flowers with the SBI. "During their play, the boy and one of the teenagers fell into the water. While the teenager managed to swim to shore, the young boy did not."

Rescue teams had been searching the river since his disappearance. Searchers found the boys body at 1 p.m. Tuesday, the SBI said. 

"While the outcome is not at all what we prayed for, I am beyond grateful to the folks at Franklin County Emergency Management Services, our local fire rescue professionals, and our partners in law enforcement for working so hard to assist our team in bringing closure to Ronald’s tremendously strong family," White said in a news release via Facebook.