A MUM says she hoped her two-year-old son had been snatched amid a four-month search after he fell into a river.
Toddler Xielo Maruziva disappeared into the River Soar in Leicester before his body was recovered not far from where he was last seen.
During the search his mum Kayela Smith lived “every parent’s worst nightmare”.
The 22-year-old would often go to Aylestone Meadows where Xielo fell into the water hoping for a miracle.
She told LeicestershireLive: “I was always just holding out hope – hoping he didn’t really go in the water, that he was taken by someone and was still alive.
“It was only when they found him I knew it was real and that he did fall in.”
Kayela said she was supported by family whenever she visited the spot her son went missing but eventually it became “overwhelming”.
Kayela and Xielo lived together in the city’s Humberstone area.
The mum described her tragic tot as a “cheeky, friendly, smart, caring and independent little boy” who “never failed to make us laugh or smile”.
Kayela now often feels too anxious to go out in Leicester as people know she’s Xielo’s mum.
Some days she struggles to even get out of bed.
But at other times, she needs to get out of the city, and will visit family in London.
“It was me and Xielo, and now it’s just me by myself,” she said.
The toddler fell into the river while out on a walk with two of his dad’s relatives on Sunday, February 18.
After he went into the water, Xielo’s dad was called and he rushed to the scene and got into the river to try and find him.
At the time, the meadows were flooded and the water was brown with silt.
Police were called around 5pm and immediately launched a search operation, including drafting in experts at Search Group International.
Sunday, February 18 – A then-unnamed two-year-old boy fell into the River Soar at Aylestone Meadows. A search was launched by emergency services.
Monday, February 19 – Specialist teams from police forces across the country join the major hunt.
Wednesday, February 21 – Xielo Maruziva is named as the boy who fell into the water. His family call him a “bundle of joy”.
Monday, February 26 – Following calls from Xielo’s family, police announced that a private search team which helped to look for Nicola Bulley will be joining the operation.
Tuesday, February 27 – Search Group International (SGI) joins the search and is seen in Aylestone Meadows
Thursday, March 21 – Operations were considerably scaled back with no trace of Xielo.
Thursday, June 6 – Workers spotted the body near Pebble Beach
Operations were eventually scaled back on March 21 with no trace of the boy.
His body was then found by workers in a park on June 6.
It was near Pebble Beach, close to where Xielo had fallen.
Kayela said if her son’s body had been found sooner it “wouldn’t have been so traumatic”.
And added that she doesn’t think she’ll ever “move on” from her grief.
The mum is now aiming to raise £6,000 for Xielo’s funeral.
To donate to her GoFundMe page click here.
