Teen’s body recovered from Sacramento River after apparent Sunday drowning, authorities say

Law enforcement and fire personnel recovered the body of a teenage boy following an apparent drowning Sunday evening on the Sacramento River near Sacramento’s Willowcreek neighborhood.

First responders were dispatched shortly after 5:30 p.m. for reports of a missing teen near Sand Cove Park, Sacramento Fire Department spokesman Capt. Justin Sylvia said.

Search and rescue operations transitioned to a recovery operation, Sylvia said. The boy’s body was found using a Sacramento Police Department boat with assistance using Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office equipment, he said.

Recovery crews on the boat located the body a few hours later, not far from where the boy went missing, according to Sylvia.

Sylvia said the teen was reportedly “playing in the water” with friends when he was swept away.

The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office identified the teen Monday evening as 15-year-old Amari Quarles of Sacramento.

Public safety agencies in the Sacramento region continue to urge people to stay away from waterways, which are running cold and very fast for this time of year, and to always wear a life jacket when on or near the water.