Northampton County emergency management personnel are in a recovery operation today to retrieve the body of a 12-year-old boy from a wastewater pond in Seaboard.

Town Police Chief George Reid said the child slipped into the pond shortly before 6 p.m. Friday as he and several other children wandered into the treatment facility, which is near the housing projects.

The children had walked upon the berm and the child who fell in slipped on the plastic liner that serves as a sealant.

Reid said two of the children tried to rescue the 12-year-old, whose name is being withheld until recovery.

Reid said the gate to the plant was supposed to have been locked but the area is clearly marked with signs warning against trespassing. What liability issues this may hold for the town is something that will have to be discussed between the town board and its attorney, Reid said. “Our main concern is finding the body and bringing closure to the family.”

Northampton Emergency Management, the Gaston Search and Rescue Dive Team, Conway-Severn Rescue, the Woodland Police Department and Northampton County Sheriff’s Office were at the scene.