Kansas City, Kansas Man Drowns in Smithville Lake

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A 23-year-old man from Kansas City, Kansas, drowned Saturday, July 26, while swimming in Smithville Lake, authorities confirmed Sunday.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the man was swimming near the Route W Bridge around 9:15 pm, Saturday when he went underwater and did not resurface. Rescue crews responded to the scene and began a search effort.

The search continued through the night. At approximately 11:30 am, Sunday, the Water Patrol recovered the victim near the location where he was last seen. Officials reported that the man was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have notified next of kin.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story

Man Arrested After Alleged Molestation at Smithville Lake Beach

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Clay County deputies have arrested and charged a 26-year-old man after an alleged assault involving two teenage girls at Smithville Lake on Independence Day.

Carlos Climaco-Garcia

According to a statement from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Carlos Climaco-Garcia, 26, was taken into custody on July 4 and now faces two felony counts of child molestation. The alleged incident occurred around 8 pm, at the Little Platte Swim Beach, where two 13-year-old girls were swimming.

Investigators report that the man approached the girls in the water and began asking them personal questions which made them uncomfortable. He then allegedly grabbed and groped the girls, attempting to remove their swimsuits. The girls managed to escape by reportedly kicking the suspect in the groin and returned to the beach to alert their parents.

The parents immediately notified deputies in the area and provided a description of the suspect. Deputies located Climaco-Garcia a short time later and took him into custody.

Climaco-Garcia is currently being held at the Clay County Detention Center on a $75,000 bond. A bond hearing is scheduled for Thursday, July 10, during which prosecutors will ask the judge to increase the bond to $100,000.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the incident and urges anyone with additional information to contact authorities.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.