9 Year Old Iowa Boy Dies After Falling Through Thin Ice

An Iowa community is mourning the loss of a young boy who died after falling through ice and into a pond over the weekend.

A neighbor told KCCI that they called police on Saturday after seeing a hole in the ice of the pond and a pair of shoes nearby. First responders with the Waukee Police and Fire Departments were called for a welfare check to the pond near the 1100 block of Northview Drive shortly after 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. KCCI reports that authorities who responded to the call found the body of the young boy. He has been identified as 9-year-old Aiden James-Harrison Smith.

Local 5 reports that Aiden had just moved to the area with his family. His grandfather, Shawn Smith Pickett, told Local 5 that the family had only lived in the area for 2 weeks and were unaware of the pond. Pickett said that the young boy had never mentioned the pond to family members and you can't see it unless you go up and over a hill.

Family members told Local 5 that Aiden was a talented athlete, competing in Waukee's youth football and baseball programs. He was also a Cub Scout.

Waukee Fire Chief Clint Robinson told KCCI that no one should be out on the ice right now. "Certainly right now ... staying off the ice, especially in the metro, where it's been fairly warm seasonably."