Two children, 4 and 7, accidentally drown in Brazos River in Johnson County
Two young children who had been playing near the water drowned in the Brazos River in Johnson County on Tuesday night.
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and first responders from multiple other North Texas departments began searching the river at Hamm Creek Park near Rio Vista about 6:10 p.m., after a caller reported that two boys were missing.
Crews found the brothers, ages 4 and 7 years old, and pronounced them dead at the scene at around 8:30 p.m.
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the children as 4-year-old Banx McAmis and 7-year-old Bowyn Miller. The medical examiner’s office determined that the boys’ deaths were accidental drownings.
“The parents were with them, and unfortunately, it’s one of those situations where they looked away for a minute and it didn’t take much,” Sheriff’s Office Lt. Keven George told WFAA-TV.
“Bowyn was in second grade at Plum Creek Elementary School,” the boys’ aunt wrote on a GoFundMe page that’s raising money for funeral and memorial expenses. “He loved karate, playing outside with his brother and sister, and video games. Banx was the most energetic little boy you’ve ever met. He loved his Ninja Turtles and playing outside, rain or shine.”
“These two boys were the light of everyone’s life,” she wrote. “... My family asks for prayers during this devastating time.”
Officials with Joshua ISD, where Bowyn attended school, said in a statement Wednesday on social media that counselors will be available to support students and staff members. “It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that a Plum Creek Elementary student passed away last night in a tragic accident,” district officials wrote. “Our heartfelt prayers and thoughts go out to the family and community.”
Departments including units from Cleburne, Grandview and the Texas Game Wardens responded to help search for the boys, according to Johnson County Emergency Management.
The Hood County sheriff said that his department’s dive team also was dispatched to the scene.
This story was originally published October 7, 2025 at 10:25 PM.
