Nine-year-old Michael Zapletal was last seen August 15, 2007, during a family outing to the Kansas River near Maple Hill, Kansas. He was with his father, three brothers and four friends when a sandbar where several children were wading collapsed and they were swept into the river. All of the children were rescued except Michael, who disappeared beneath the surface.

Search and recovery efforts began immediately but the river’s fast-moving current hindered those attempts. Despite extensive searches over several days, Michael’s body was never recovered. He was due to start fourth grade at Saint John Vianney Catholic School that fall; a funeral was held in September 2007 although no remains were found.

The incident is classified as a Lost/Injured Missing case and Michael is presumed to have drowned. If anyone was at the river that day or has information about the search and its aftermath, please share what is known.