Search resumes for 1-year-old swept away by Florence floodwaters in Union County

The Union County Sheriff’s Office said Monday morning that emergency workers are resuming the search for Kaiden Lee-Welch, a one-year-old boy swept away in rushing water Sunday.

The boy’s mother was driving east on N.C. 218 towards Wadesboro, in northern Union County, Sunday evening. Investigators said there were barricades on the road, which was flooded by nearby Richardson Creek.

The woman drove around the barricades, according to a statement from the Union County Sheriff’s Office, and tried to go through the flooded section of road. That’s when her car was swept off the road.

“Her vehicle left the roadway and came to rest amongst a group of trees,” sheriff’s officials said. “She managed to free herself and Kaiden, who was in a car seat, but lost her grip on him in the rushing water.”

The search lasted until about midnight Sunday, according to Observer news partner WBTV. Searchers resumed looking for Kaiden early Monday.

Jane Wester: 704-358-5128, @janewester