Divers search smaller, more wooded lake area for missing boy

BUFORD - Members of the Hall County Dive Team concentrated on a smaller area of Lake Lanier Monday in their search for the body of a 13-year-old boy who fell into the water a week ago following a fatal boating accident.

"These cadaver dogs that we had on hand yesterday and this morning consistently indicated in a few key locations that we believe are close to the suspected crash site," said Hall County Sheriff's Sgt. Stephen Wilbanks.

Wilbanks said they're also continuing to use side scan sonar as they search through a heavily wooded area underwater near Shoal Creek Park.

"We got word that divers are literally swimming up and down trees, searching the standing timber underwater in case the victim is hung up in the limbs somewhere," he said.

Wilbanks said the FBI dive team and divers with local sheriff's offices have already committed to look for Griffin Prince's body through the end of this week, and he said there's been no discussion yet on when the search would be suspended permanently.

Griffin has been missing since around 10:30 last Monday night when the pontoon boat he was riding in was hit nearly head on by a fishing boat. Authorities said Griffin's 9-year-old brother Jake was discovered dead at the scene.

Authorities have arrested Paul J. Bennett, 44, of Cumming in connection with the case and have charged him with boating under the influence.