Police: Body found in Ocean City, N.J. believed to be missing teen

OCEAN CITY, N.J. (WPVI) -- A body discovered in Ocean City, N.J. is believed to be that of a teenager who went missing in the water earlier in the week.

Police say a boater discovered the body in the water just south of Ocean City-Longport Bridge around 12:30 p.m. Thursday.

The United State Coast Guard and New Jersey State Marine Police were called the scene and recovered the body.

Though the investigation continues, authorities believe it is the body of 14-year-old Corinthian Hammond of Hunting Park.

Police say Hammond was with a group of people on a jetty near 9th Street around 7:00 p.m. Sunday when a rip current swept them into the water.

According to police, the incident happened when lifeguards were off-duty.

Officials say several Good Samaritans went into the water to try and help. But they, too, got caught in the current.

Rescue crews were able to pull 14 people back to shore safely, however the teen boy was not found.

The teen's family tells Action News they rushed to Ocean City from their Philadelphia home in the middle of the night.

The Coast Guard launched two boats and an aircraft. State police went up in the air, as well.

However, the Coast Guard suspended its search around 4:30 p.m. Monday.