The search was centered about a mile offshore from Meinke Marina in Jerusalem Township. A child endangerment charge has been filed in relation to the case.
CURTICE, Ohio — Editor’s note: This story includes an update from the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department as of Friday afternoon.
4:30 p.m. update
Recovery efforts for an 11-year-old girl who disappeared in Lake Erie have been suspended after two days of searching, according to Toledo Fire and Rescue Chief Allison Armstrong.
This story continues below.
Speaking during a press update Friday afternoon, Armstrong said search crews had exhausted all available resources after narrowing their search area based on the latest information. She said agencies deployed numerous resources throughout the operation but were unable to locate the missing child, identified by her family as Angelique Cunningham.
Crews searched using radar and sonar technology in an area about a mile offshore from Meinke Marina after investigators developed a more precise search location Friday morning.
Armstrong said deteriorating weather conditions also factored into the decision to end Friday’s operation.
As of Friday afternoon, recovery efforts have been suspended. Armstrong said she did not know whether any agencies would continue searching through the weekend, adding that first responders would continue to respond if anything is discovered in the area.
Investigators said Angelique had been on the water Wednesday evening during what was described as a recreational boat ride with the boat’s owner and an adult woman.
Armstrong clarified Friday that the woman was a friend of the family, not Angelique’s babysitter as authorities had initially stated. Authorities stated that the woman swam to shore and contacted family members, who then alerted law enforcement.
The woman, identified by the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office as Kristen Gerrie, 41, of Toledo, was arrested and charged with two misdemeanor counts of child endangerment. She was booked into the Lucas County Jail, where she is being held on a $50,000 bond.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the case to contact investigators. Armstrong also urged the public to give the family space as the investigation continues.
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Day two of search for missing child resumes
The active search for a missing 11-year-old girl near a Lake Erie marina has transitioned into a recovery mission.
Toledo Fire and Rescue officials confirmed to WTOL 11 Friday morning that teams are no longer expecting a rescue.
Following the shift in the nature of the operation, the U.S. Coast Guard has been called off from the search.
“Our thoughts remain with the family and everyone affected by this tragedy. We ask the public to continue giving emergency crews the space needed to conduct this difficult operation,” Toledo Fire and Rescue said in a statement.
Crews are continuing to use radar and sonar technology to help locate the missing child, identified by her family as Angelique Cunningham.
Toledo Fire and Rescue told WTOL 11 Friday morning that new radar tracking had given teams a clearer understanding of where to focus.
The recovery operation, which resumed around 8 a.m. Friday, is centered about a mile offshore from Meinke Marina in Jerusalem Township.
Among those on-site Friday morning was Toledo Fire Chief Allison Armstrong, who was seen speaking with individuals believed to be members of the missing girl’s family.
The investigation originally began around 9:50 a.m. Thursday, when dispatchers received a report of a body in the water near the marina.
Lucas County Sheriff Mike Navarre said that while an official identity has not been confirmed by the coroner, the deceased individual appears to be the owner of the boat involved in the incident.
The U.S. Coast Guard later discovered the vessel unoccupied near West Sister Island.
According to officials, the 11-year-old girl had been on the water Wednesday evening for what was described as a recreational ride with the boat’s owner and a woman who law enforcement described as a babysitter.
Capt. Robert Chromik with the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office said the adult female managed to swim ashore and contact family members, who then alerted law enforcement.
While Chromik characterized the case as an ongoing criminal investigation, he said authorities have not determined whether foul play was involved and do not currently have any active suspects.
Coast Guard crews patrolled the water overnight Thursday, while other fire and rescue teams reconvened early Friday morning to resume the active search.
WTOL 11 reporters TaTiana Cash and Megan Hartnett contributed to this article.
