Body of 1-year-old swept up in flood waters found in Union County

UNION COUNTY, NC (FOX 46 WJZY) - The body of a missing 1-year-old child who was swept away Sunday night by flood waters in Union County has been found by a swift water rescue team, according to the sheriff's office.

Around 8:30 p.m. Sunday emergency responders were called to the 7700 block of NC 218 East in New Salem in reference to a mother and her 14-month-old, Kaiden Lee-Welch, being swept away by swift moving water from Richardson Creek on N.C. 218.

The mother was rescued from flood water, but rescuers had not found the child overnight.

"I couldn't hold on anymore, and he let go," Kaiden's mother, Dazia Lee, told FOX 46.

Detectives believe the child and his mother were traveling east on N.C. 218 going toward Wadesboro when the mother drove around the barricades on N.C. 218 and continued traveling east until her vehicle encountered rushing water flowing across the road.

LINK: Man dies after being swept away by flood waters in Union County

Authorities said her vehicle left the roadway and came to rest amongst a group of trees. She managed to free herself and Kaiden, who was in a car seat, but lost her grip on him in the rushing water.

"Please know this area along N.C. 218 remains a hazard due to flooding," the sheriff's office said.

Check back with FOX 46 for more updates.