2-year-old Monroe boy found dead in fast-running creek

MONROE — A 2-year-old boy was found dead Friday after wandering away from his home northeast of Monroe.

Grayson Hill was found about a half mile downstream in Woods Creek, according to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. He appeared to have hypothermia and attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, sheriff’s Lt. Rodney Rochon said.

Grayson was last seen by his mother around 12:20 p.m. Friday. She called 911 to report him missing about 20 minutes later.

His body was found just after 3:30 p.m. Police closed down the area of Woods Creek Road.

The county Medical Examiner’s Office was asked to collect the body and determine the cause of death.

Before the boy was found, Rochon said he was concerned that the creek was running high and fast with the recent rainfall.

The boy’s house in the 12700 block of Woods Creek Road was about 35 feet from the creek.

The boy’s mother made a thorough search of the home and property before calling for help, Rochon said.

Searchers converged on the rural area, looking for signs of the boy. They checked the brush along the creek and used helicopters, hovercraft and divers.

About 70 people — deputies, medics, search and rescue volunteers and others, including the boy’s father — were involved in the search and hoping they would find the boy alive. Search dogs also were used.

“It’s disappointing,” Rochon said.

The Hills bought the house in December, county property records show.

Rikki King contributed to this story. Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com.

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