Body of father recovered from Bibb Pond; search continues for 4-year-old boy

The body of 27-year-old James Rabon of Bonneau, S.C. was recovered Sunday from Bibb Pond on the Chattahoochee River. Divers are still looking for a 4-year-old boy who was reported to be with Rabon when last seen Thursday.

“Rabon was found near the J.R. Allen Bridge,” Muscogee County Deputy Coroner Charles Newton said.

Witnesses have said the two were fishing before going into the water.

Batallion Chief Bryan Watson of the Columbus Department of Fire and Emergency Services said he received a call around 12:15 p.m. from Sgt. Jeremy Bolen of the Department of Natural Resources who informed him the body had been found.

Watson said the body was found in “close proximity” to where searchers had been looking.

The body was seen from the sky, and divers recovered the body which Watson said was found in “debris.”

“The body was found about 200 yards down south from where the victim was last seen,” Watson said.

Watson and Newton both said the good weather helped in finding the body.

Two boats using sonar and eight divers are still searching for the boy.

Watson praised the divers who have “endured a lot of obstacles over four days.”

“It takes a special kind of person to do what they do,” Watson said.

This story was originally published April 1, 2018 at 3:49 PM with the headline "Body of father recovered from Bibb Pond; search continues for 4-year-old boy."