9 Year Old’s Body Pulled From Surf Near Shell Key

By
Kurt Shriner
-

(UPDATE  12:15 p.m.-   Authorities confirm the body found near Shell Key is that of 9 year old Cameron Bullard.)

Earlier:

ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. (AP) _ Authorities believe they have found the body of a 9-year-old boy who went missing in the Gulf of Mexico off St. Pete Beach.

Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies said Monday morning that marine units found the remains of a boy on Shell Key.

Officials believe the body is that of Cameron Bullard of St. Pete Beach.

Authorities say Bullard, who could not swim, was last seen flailing his arms Saturday after being tugged by a strong current while in the ocean playing in knee-deep water with family. A beachgoer and her husband had rushed toward Bullard, but were unable to find him.

Pinellas County sheriff Bob Gualtieri says the children were properly supervised and there were no indications of alcohol use or negligence by Bullard’s aunt and uncle, who had been watching the children.