Asha Patel,BBC News, East Midlands
A body has been found in the search for a two-year-old boy who fell into a river in Leicester.
Xielo Maruziva entered the River Soar while with his family on 18 February, prompting a major search operation involving specialist teams.
Leicestershire Police said a body was found on Thursday morning after workers had been in the area of Aylestone Meadows, near the River Soar.
The body was recovered and formal identification will now take place, the force said.
More than 200 police officers were said to have been involved with the search for Xielo, with specialist teams of divers and other organisations involved.
Despite their efforts the two-year-old was not found and the operation was scaled down about one month later.
Assistant Chief Constable Michaela Kerr said: “This is devastating news and our thoughts are with Xielo’s family.
“We are so sorry to bring them this news which we were all dreading and our full support is being provided to them at this most difficult time.”
The force has asked for privacy for Xielo’s family.
Support is also being provided to the workers in the area of Aylestone Meadows on Thursday morning, ACC Kerr added.
In a previous statement, Xielo’s mother described him as a “cheeky, funny, friendly, smart, caring and independent little boy”.
Xielo’s father, who said his son “loved cuddles, playing with his toys and going to the park”, had entered the water the day he went missing in an attempt to rescue him.
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