Missing 4-Year-Old Alabama Boy Found Dead in Backyard Pool After Hourslong Search

A missing 4-year-old Alabama boy has been found dead in a backyard swimming pool, authorities said.

The Cleburne County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post on Saturday, June 15, that the boy went missing near the area of Cleburne County Road 49 and County Road 111 just before 6 p.m. local time. 

Chief Barry Nolen of the Ranburne Police Department confirmed in a Facebook post around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday that the boy was found dead. "I would also like to ask everyone to please keep the family in your prayers," Nolan wrote. 

Cleburne County Coroner Adam Downs confirmed the child's identity in a statement to PEOPLE.

"I can confirm the death of DJ Jarrell. A 4-year-old from Ranburne Al. He was found in a swimming pool in the yard of his family home," Downs said.

Authorities have not released any additional information at this time, including how the boy left the home unnoticed.

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Downs previously told AL.com that DJ "slipped away" out of his home and was found in the pool after a nearly two-hour search.

The coroner told the outlet that the boy's family is urging other families with young children to pay attention if they have swimming pools. 

"Please make sure that they keep the gates locked and secured to where a child cannot get into that pool,” Downs said.

He noted that officials did not spot the boy in the pool at first because the water was "so cloudy."

DJ's drowning came just days after 5-year-old Kyrie Jefferson drowned in an apartment pool in the Alabama town of Opelika, ABC affiliate WTVM reported.