ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — The body of a 16-year-old boy was found in a canal near Fort Pierce on Wednesday, the St. Lucie County sheriff confirmed.
Sheriff Keith Pearson said deputies pulled the teen's body from the Belcher Canal in the area of Taylor Creek Commons, located in the 1800 block of Old U.S. Highway 1.
The teen, identified by family members as Anthony Paschal Jr., vanished at about 4 p.m. on Tuesday.
"The last 24 hours, we’ve been struggling," the teen's father, Anthony Paschal Sr., said.
He said his son's disappearance Tuesday was totally out of character. That's when they began to worry.
"I began to search, running up and down the street searching, searching, asking people and sitting there," Anthony Paschal Sr. said. "Then it turned into night and even then my wife tried to stay optimistic."
He said deep down he knew something was wrong.
"I was already breaking down. I was like, 'God don't take my son, please,'" Anthony Paschal Sr., said. "He died on his birthday. He was excited for his birthday."
Deputies are investigating the death as a drowning. However, the medical examiner's office is still working to determine exactly what happened. Investigators said there were no signs of trauma.
The teen also leaves behind three sisters and his mother.
His dad said they'll always remember the boy's character.
"He was an amazing kid. He was humble. He was quiet. He was withdrawn a little bit because maybe he didn't feel like he fit in," Anthony Paschal Sr. said. "For the people out there listening, I thank you for your support, all your shares, all your texts, all your calls in, they're heartfelt. We feel grateful, me and my family. We just got to pick up the pieces now."
Now, the Paschals are trying to move forward with their son in mind.
"That ain't how AJ would want us to do it — to quit. He'd want us to live on," Anthony Paschal Sr. said.