Robert Long, missing father of 7, found dead in Des Plaines River, Joliet police say

A missing father of seven was found dead Friday in Joliet.

Robert Long was discovered along the Des Plaines River, police said at an afternoon press conference.

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Long's cause of death was not immediately known. Police continue to investigate.

His family spoke with ABC7 Friday morning before his body was found. They hadn't seen or heard from Long in more than a week.

Long's family was searching for him along the Des Plaines River in Joliet. The Joliet Fire Department assisted in the search.

Robert Long, a missing father of seven, was discovered Friday along the Des Plaines River, Joliet police said at an afternoon press conference.

He was last seen April 11 at a cousin's home. Long's mother, Jewell Robinson said Long operated on a tight routine schedule, making his sudden disappearance that much more concerning for this distraught family.

"He's got three kids who are getting ready to graduate 8th grade," she said. "He ain't going to disappear like this, man...And I'm not going to stop until I can get him home, till I can have some peace."

Long's family said the 37-year-old was a father of seven kids and was an Uber driver.

Robinson prayed for her son to be found.

"My fear is that I ain't going to see my son no more," she said. "That's my fear. All I know is if my son is still alive out there, somebody please let me know."

Robert's 16-year-old daughter, Ramya, had told ABC7 she was grateful for the outpouring of community support.

"I just want my daddy home," she said. "That's it."