DAYTON — A family is grieving the loss of a 7-year-old Dayton boy.
Lucas Rosales’ disappeared more than two weeks ago while fishing at Eastwood MetroPark.
Rosales’ father Agustin said his boy was full of life and loved to sing at his church.
He said not knowing what had happened to his son for more than two weeks was pain beyond his imagination.
But he is extremely grateful for every single person who helped look for Lucas.
He shared what went through his mind on Saturday when he learned his youngest child has been found.
“When they told me they found the body ... like somebody taking my soul this is hard, he’s my baby ... I miss him,” Agustin said.
Lucas’ older sister Da’najiah said her baby brother looked up to her and that Lucas was her little best friend.
The pair would cook in the kitchen together and try the foods they made, watch movies with one another, and she was even his teacher at church.
She said he would come home from school and talk to his big sister and his teachers.
>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Body of boy found Saturday in Great Miami River ID’d as Lucas Rosales
Stories she wishes she could hear him tell again.
“He would just come home and talk about all of his problems at school but I really wouldn’t … I wasn’t interested as much, but it’s like you know now I kind of wish he’d still come home from school and just tell us,” she said.
“He’s in heaven and he doesn’t have to go through the cruel things in this world and you know he was very innocent,” she added.
The family said there will be a public viewing for Lucas on Monday at 10 am at Woodland Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel.
They are asking anyone who would like to help to donate to the funeral home.