LAURINGBURG, NC (WBTW) – A second vigil was held Tuesday night for a four-year-old boy found dead over the weekend.
The Scotland County Sheriff’s Office confirmed four-year-old Raul Gonzalez Johnson drowned in a pond near his home. Search crews discovered the boy’s body on Saturday after searching for him since Wednesday.
The vigil began with an emotional song called ‘The Anchor Holds’ performed by Scotland County Sheriff, Ralph Kersey.
Sheriff Kersey said he met Raul months ago at the sheriff’s office and never imagined he would be among nearly 50 law enforcement agencies and volunteers to search for him.
“He has inspired me and from what I’ve learned over the last seven days, I felt like I’ve known him for the last four years,” he said about the four-year-old. “Me not knowing that three, four, five months later that I, and all the other agencies that volunteered that showed up, would have the responsibility of locating Raul Johnson.”
Sheriff Kersey described to the crowd how he grew to know the little boy after speaking with the child’s family.
“He loved climbing in trees and he loved playing with animals,” he said. “He loved to visit neighbors and he was shy. We all came to know him, but some of us never met him.”
The sheriff said he felt many emotions during his tiring search for Raul.
“I felt hurt, disappointment, moments of hope,” he said. “I was praying that the pond would be empty.”
Sheriff Kersey said at the vigil that he will never forget Raul.
“It was something I had never experienced before in my life and I hope that I never have to again,” he said.
Many members of the community showed up to both vigils held this week. Two mothers in the community said they didn’t know Raul, but wanted to show support for the family.
“Small children, they can really get away from you at the blink of an eye,” said one mother at the vigil. “I kind of felt her pain not knowing where your child is and looking for them, I’ve dealt with that before.”
Sheriff Kersey agreed that Raul’s death has brought the Scotland County community together. He said a local funeral home offered to pay for Raul’s service on Wednesday.
Sheriff Kersey said the Sheriff’s Office will meet with the District Attorney this week to discuss the investigation and determine whether or not to close the case.
Raul’s funeral is Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Northview Harvest Ministries. The family said the funeral is open to the public.
