911 Audio Released From Drownings Of 2 Boys In Kankakee River

SCHNEIDER, IN — The Newton County E-911 dispatch center has released recordings of emergency calls made Aug. 21 by two fisherman who witnessed the drowning incidents of two boys in the Kankakee River. The Times reported the calls were made to alert police to the situation happening in the river on the Lake and Newton County borders, and are being used as some of the evidence police have against 34-year-old Eric J. Patillo, of Thayer. Thayer is pleading not guilty to neglect in the deaths of his sons Evan Patillo, 2, and Levi Patillo, 4, the news report said.

At 4:35 p.m., Aug. 21, one of the fishermen called 911 to complain about the father, describing him as being in a state of apparent drug intoxication from heroin while his kids were running around in the water.

One of the fisherman called 911 again about 20 minutes after the first call after the two fishermen realized they hadn't seen the young boys for some time, according to a police affidavit, The Times reported. In that call, the man begs for help, and said there were two drowned boys.

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Recent reports said the two young boys were taken to separate hospitals where they were each pronounced dead.

Patch reported last month Portillo was being held on felony charges of neglect of a dependent resulting in death, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Department.

>> Listen to the 911 audio tapes

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