UPDATE: Missing Jefferson City teenagers found dead

Jefferson City police confirmed Jacob Foster, 18, left, and Dantonio McClain, 17, died of accidental drowning in the Moreau River after their disappearance the afternoon of Wednesday, July 19, 2017.
Jefferson City police confirmed Jacob Foster, 18, left, and Dantonio McClain, 17, died of accidental drowning in the Moreau River after their disappearance the afternoon of Wednesday, July 19, 2017.

Two local teenagers reported missing Wednesday have been found dead in the Moreau River, according to Jefferson City police.

Jacob Foster, 18, and Dantonio McClain, 17, both of Jefferson City, had not been heard from by family members since late Wednesday afternoon, when they were in the area of the 5900 block of Algoa Road where a railroad bridge over the river is located.

Officers originally were called to the area to investigate a parking complaint on a vehicle believed to be driven by one of the teens, which was left at the scene. Additionally, items belonging to the individuals were found, leading police and family to believe the two had possibly jumped into the Moreau River at that location.

After unsuccessfully attempting to determine the teens' whereabouts by contacting friends, family members filed a missing persons complaint with police. Around 1:35 a.m. Thursday, the Jefferson City Fire Department was contacted to start looking for the two young men. The searchers were later joined by members of the Missouri Highway Patrol's Marine Division.

Family members were notified Thursday afternoon that Foster and McClain had been found deceased, according to a JCPD news release.

JCPD spokesman Capt. Doug Shoemaker said during a Thursday afternoon news conference the investigation is ongoing, and autopsies are planned today.

"We caution members of the public to refrain from speculating on the cause of death, as such rumors are unfair to the family members and may damage the integrity of the investigation," Shoemaker said. "By all appearances, this appears to have been an accident.

"We ask the public to be cautious about posting anything about conspiracy theories about what occurred. It's irresponsible to put out something that you don't know is fact. Think about the family before posting something on this."

Shoemaker said detectives have been told this is an area where youth gather often and jump off the bridge.

Anyone with information that could help detectives piece together where Foster and McClain were and what they may have been doing before going to the bridge should call the police department at 573-634-6400, Shoemaker added.

McClain was a former Jefferson City Public Schools student, said Amy Berendzen, JCPS director of community relations. She said he had transferred to another district out of state at some point.

Foster would have been a senior at Jefferson City High School in the 2017-18 school year, although it's not known if he had registered yet, Berendzen said.

High school students who want to seek counseling, even during summer, can call 573-659-3070. The hours for the high school counselor's office until school starts are 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

"We will absolutely help kids who need us (or) professional counseling assistance," Berendzen said.

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EARLIER COVERAGE

The Jefferson City Police Department is investigating a case involving two local teenagers who apparently went missing on Wednesday.

Police report Jacob Foster, 18, and Dantonio McClain, 17, both of Jefferson City, were in the area of the 5900 block of Algoa Road late Wednesday afternoon, and have not been heard from by family members since that time.

Officers originally were called to the area to investigate a parking complaint on a vehicle believed to be driven by one of the teenagers, which was left at the scene. Additionally, items belonging to the individuals were found and led police and family to believe the two had possibly jumped into the Moreau River at that location.

After unsuccessfully attempting to determine the teens' whereabouts by contacting friends, family members decided to file a missing persons complaint with police.

Authorities continue to investigate and are asking anyone with knowledge that would help find the two to contact police. In addition, the Jefferson City Fire Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol are assisting with marine resources in the search of the area.