Latham Boy Drowns in Moniteau County

A 12-year-old boy drowned in Moniteau County on Monday afternoon, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The patrol said that a 12-year-old and a 15-year-old boy, both from Latham, Mo., were on a tractor and attempting to drive through a low water crossing around 3 p.m. Monday at 67333 Hazel Dell Road, when both boys were swept off the tractor in swift moving water.

The 15-year-old was able to swim to safety, but the 12-year-old was swept downstream. His body was discovered two miles downstream and was pronounced deceased at 8:10 p.m., by Moniteau County Coroner Marty Ramsdell.

The body was taken to Windmill Ridge Funeral Home in California, Mo.

Get our free mobile app

This was Troop F’s fourth drowning for 2026 and the second one for May.

There were a total of eight Troopers on scene.