What we know about missing boy Xielo Maruziva who fell into river

The diving team involved in the search for Nicola Bulley is helping police in the operation to find a two-year-old boy who fell into the River Soar in Leicestershire.

Xielo Maruziva was with his family when he fell into the river in Aylestone on 18 February and has still not been found. A diving team from private company Specialist Group International (SGI) joined the search for Xielo on Tuesday.

The company and its chief executive, Peter Faulding, were involved in the search for Bulley, who disappeared along the River Wyre in Lancashire in January 2023. Despite an extensive search involving the private team and police, her body was found more than three weeks later in the river by a pair of walkers.

Faulding was criticised for his involvement in the search for Bulley, with a subsequent review by the College of Policing saying his behaviour "caused challenges" to the police search. In response, Faulding claimed he had found Bulley's body within six minutes of his search, but that his request to dive in that area was refused.

In a statement, Leicestershire Police said: "Following further conversations with search specialists and Xielo’s family, support will be provided by Specialist Group International (SGI) from Tuesday." The force has repeatedly asked members of the public - including those in kayaks - to stay away from the area.

Last week, Xielo's mother described her son as a "cheeky, funny, friendly, smart, caring and independent little boy". She added: "He never fails to make me laugh or smile and always loves a cuddle and some kisses. Xielo loves playing with his toys and watching cartoons including Bino and Fino."

Watch: Private company to join search for missing two-year-old who fell into river

She added: “Me, his dad and the whole family are so heartbroken at what has happened. We thank everyone who has supported us and helped us during this time. We are extremely grateful for this. All we want is for Xielo to be found as soon as possible."

Yahoo News breaks down what we know and don't know as the search continues.

What we know

Emergency services attended the scene just after 5pm on Sunday, 18 February, with a search and rescue operation beginning in Aylestone Meadows, close to Marsden Lane where the boy entered the river. The search for the two-year-old is now in its second week.

Leicestershire Police said his father went into the river in an effort to rescue him and was taken to hospital that evening as a “as a precautionary measure”, but was later discharged.

Leicestershire Police said it had received several offers of assistance from members of the public wanting to help out with the search - but urged them not to attend the scene because of rising water levels and safety risks.

On Monday, February 19, the force made a renewed appeal and said it wanted to speak to a dog walker who was along the footpath near the Packhorse Bridge at about 5pm on the day he went missing. The force also said it wanted to hear from members of the public who may have spoken with officers in the area in the past day.

Leicestershire Police confirmed last Tuesday that CCTV footage had been recovered showing the moment the two-year-old fell into the fast-flowing river, which had burst its banks in parts of the nature reserve.

In a statement on 21 February, Assistant Chief Constable Michaela Kerr said the force had "been truly overwhelmed by the support" they had been offered. Leicestershire Police also revealed Xielo's identity and released a photograph from his family.

What we don't know

Leicestershire Police said the local boy was with his family when he fell into the river but the exact circumstances of what happened remain unknown.

While the police know the boy's father jumped into the river to save him, it is not known how exactly the toddler fell into the water.

It is also not known how safe the exact spot where the boy fell into the river is considering all of the heavy rain and flooding the region has seen recently.

Eyewitness accounts

A 65-year-old woman, who is a nurse, said she was standing on a bridge when she saw a man enter the water.

The woman, who didn't want to be named, told the BBC on 20 February: "I didn't see the child fall in, but I heard shouting and at that point I didn't know what was going on. I was running to tell the man to get out the water because it was absolutely torrent last night. I saw the man disappear under the arch. Then I knew there was a child in the water and I tried to look myself."

A woman whose home overlooks Aylestone Meadows said a nearby canal and the river sometimes “go into one” during peak flooding periods. “It’s fast flowing,” she said. “It’s been quite bad. It’s devastating to think how they (family members) must be feeling.”

Read more

• Private company to join search for two-year-old who fell into river (PA Media)

• Pictured: 'Cheeky' boy, 2, missing after falling into river in Leicester (Evening Standard)

• Diving expert Peter Faulding caused challenges to Nicola Bulley investigation, report says (Sky News)