The heroic 15-year-old football player fell into the Mississippi River after trying to save his 14-year-old girlfriend and her 8-year-old sister

THE 15-year-old boy who was washed into the Mississippi River has been identified as Kevin Poole by family members.

According to Kevin’s family, he was a student at LB Landry High School in New Orleans and a member of the football team.

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Authorities believe the teenager was trying to rescue his girlfriend Brandy Wilson, 14, and her little sister Ally Wilson, 8, after Brandy fell into the water on Saturday.

The kids were at a park near the Crescent City Connection Bridge when Brandy slipped near the water. After Kevin and Ally went in to rescue her, all three children were swept away by the current.

The girls’ father, Allen Barry, said it was the first time the girls had been allowed out of the house alone since Kevin would be with them.

“I need my children. They know I need them,” said Octavia Wilson, the girls’ mother. She was in the hospital at the time and suffering from a heart condition.

“My daughter said she wanted to give me a break. I don’t need a break, I need my kids.”

The Wilson sisters’ five-year-old brother was also at the park and ran to get help after the children went into the water, Wilson said to WWLTV.

After searching 93 miles of the river, the US Coast Guard called off the search.

“The decision to suspend a search and rescue incident is never easy, but given the extensive search efforts by our Coast Guard and other aid agencies, I have made the difficult decision to suspend our active search for the three children,” said Captain Kelly Denning in an opinion.

“Our prayers are with the families at this difficult time.”

Still, some local law enforcement agencies, such as the New Orleans Police Department and private dive companies, continue to search for the children.

The search for the children began at dusk, and the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority had suspended its Algiers-Canal Street ferry service to clear the search area.

“Just find the babies. That’s all we want – find the babies,” said Shakima Hawkins, a member of the Wilson family.

As the search continues, the family continues to pray and seek answers as to exactly what happened.

“I think we all want to see what we all want to see—peace and seclusion,” said Keyaka Davis, an aunt of the girls. “These babies are united in love. They went to help each other.”

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