NEW JERSEY (WABC) — The search resumed early Friday morning for a 10-year-old girl who remains missing in the Passaic River after she and two other children entered the water earlier this week.<\/p>\n
Officials said boat crews were expected to return to the river around 6 a.m. Friday after search boats were unable to locate the girl Thursday.<\/p>\n
Emergency crews have spent days searching the river using boats, helicopters, divers and sonar equipment. Officials said the search remains focused on the Rutherford area of the river, with crews repositioning based on the current.<\/p>\n
Passaic Mayor Hector Lora said the operation is now considered a recovery mission.<\/p>\n
The girl was with a 10-year-old boy whose body was recovered Wednesday night. Officials said the boy helped save his 11-year-old sister, who managed to get out of the water on her own and is recovering with family.<\/p>\n
Investigators believe the three children were playing near a boat ramp along the riverbank when they entered the water.<\/p>\n
A man nearby jumped into the river in an attempt to rescue them, but officials said the current was too strong and the water was unusually high following heavy rainfall earlier in the week, preventing him from reaching the children.<\/p>\n
Family members continue to hold onto hope that the missing girl will be found.<\/p>\n
“I actually just saw her two weeks ago at a family gathering,” the girl’s aunt, Chelsea, said. “She’s a beautiful little girl. Very energetic. Very creative. And she’s just a great girl.”<\/p>\n
“We’re praying that they find her,” she added.<\/p>\n
Authorities say search efforts will continue Friday as crews adjust their operations based on changing river conditions.<\/p>\n
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