5-year-old boy missing after falling into Harlem River identified

The young boy who went missing after falling into the Harlem River Saturday afternoon has been identified as 5-year-old Brendan Mitchell, according to police sources.

Mitchell was last seen by his brother falling from a tree and into the water shortly before 2:30 p.m. on Randall’s Island, and was seen floating away and going under. He remains missing despite attempts by relatives and authorities to find him.

“Yesterday they said they were looking for a kid,” a jogger who would only give his name as Stan said Sunday. “Today it looks like they’re searching for a body, pushing that stick into the mud like that. It’s godawful.”

The missing boy was with his family near the water at Harlem River Field 7 when he tumbled into the water, sources said.

Witnesses said Mitchell’s parents and other adults jumped into the river to rescue the boy, but were unable to locate the youngster in the murky waters.

“I saw a little arm out of the water, that was it,” Luis Ramos, who was coaching soccer nearby, told The Post Saturday. “The last thing I saw was an arm sticking out.”

On Sunday, an NYPD patrol boat continued to search the water for the boy’s body. Two cops — one holding a six-foot-long pole, were walking along the water line on the Bronx since of the river while firefighters scanned the surface with binoculars.

Shortly before noon, police divers went into the water.

Resident Edwin Flores said he was taking photographs nearby when he saw the child’s parents come out of the water after trying to rescue the boy.

“From there you could see the women,” Flores said in Spanish. “They were wet.”

“The two jumped into the water,” he added. “Quickly. The child disappeared one-two-three. That’s what they told me.”

Flores said he takes photos in the area almost every day, and said the river’s current was strong and the tide was high when the incident occurred.