Mylo Capilla was reported missing around 9 p.m. local time on June 26, police in England said

Mylo Capilla.Credit : Cleveland Police UK

NEED TO KNOW

A 13-year-old boy has been reported missing after he is believed to have entered a local river while playing with a friend
Mylo Capilla’s dad Dan said he last saw his son about five hours before he was reported missing, and got a hug from him before he went to play
Dan described his son as a “caring boy” who is “always happy and wants to make people laugh”

A massive search is underway for a teen who disappeared after entering a river while playing with a friend.

Mylo Capilla, 13, was last seen on Thursday, June 26, in the parish of Ingleby Barwick, according to Cleveland Police in England.

Police said Mylo is believed to have entered a river near Ramsey Gardens, known locally as the “muddies,” while in the area with his friend.

The river Mylo is believed to have entered the River Tees, according to the BBC and The Daily Express.

Mylo’s dad, 43-year-old Dan Capilla, said he last saw his son around 4 p.m. local time on Thursday, Teesside Live reported.

“He just called in to say hi with his friend while they were playing out,” Dan recalled. “He gave me a big hug and said ‘love you’ and was playing with the dog. Then he left.”

Dan said he learned his son was missing shortly after the teen’s mom, whom Dan is separated from, raised concerns about Mylo’s whereabouts, according to Teesside Live.

Mylo’s black Carrera bike, black jacket and iPhone were found in a grassland near Copper Gardens, the father added, noting that he feels “numb” and “helpless” in the wake of his son’s disappearance.

“Mylo is just a really loving, caring boy,” Dan said. “He’s always happy and wants to make people laugh. He would never just go missing or hide – this is completely out of character.”

Sutherland said “officers have been conducting extensive searches” since Mylo was reported missing on Thursday. “This is understandably hugely distressing for Mylo’s family, friends and the wider community,” he added.

Police have been joined by the Cleveland Fire Brigade, National Police Air Service, marine water and mountain rescue teams as they search for Mylo, according to Sutherland. Police drones and dogs have been deployed as part of the search as well.

Tees River Rescue announced in a post on its Facebook page that it is also assisting with the search along the river, deploying two boats, a welfare vehicle and eight volunteers.

Sutherland asked members of the public “not to search near the river” both for their own safety “and to allow specialist teams” to do their work.

“We are doing all we can to find Mylo and I would ask anyone who has information to please get in touch by calling 101,” the assistant chief constable added.