Authorities investigating apparent accidental drowning

Authorities are investigating an apparent accidental drowning in the Town of Hartland that was discovered Wednesday morning.

The incident began shortly after 7 a.m. when Shawano County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Happy Lane for a reported child running naked in the area.

A 9-year old unsupervised male was picked up by a citizen and turned over to deputies when they arrived on scene. Shawano County Human Services was called to care for the child and also assist in identifying and determining where he came from.

At about 9:15 a.m. a suspicious vehicle was reported at a property on Happy Lane. After an extensive search of the area, a 33-year old Appleton female was located deceased, in a small pond a short distance from the vehicle. It was determined that the 9-year-old child was the son of the deceased female.

At this time, the death appears to be an accidental drowning, the sheriff’s department said Thursday, but the incident remains under investigation and pending the results of an autopsy.

The Shawano County Dive Team, Bonduel Fire Department, and Wisconsin DNR wardens assisted at the scene.