Federal and maritime agencies are conducting a search for an 11-year-old girl who disappeared Thursday morning near Lucas, a community situated approximately 6 miles east of Allen. The investigation intensified after authorities located an unoccupied vessel and recovered a body from the water near Meinke Marina.
Lucas County Sheriff Mike Navarre confirmed that a body was retrieved from Lake Erie near the marina, which is located in Jerusalem Township roughly 15 miles east of Toledo. While the coroner has not yet officially identified the deceased, Navarre stated that the individual appears to be the owner of the boat involved in the incident. The identity of the missing child remains unconfirmed.
The Coast Guard located the empty boat near West Sister Island after 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. According to the sheriff, the missing girl had been on the vessel with a babysitter and the boat's owner at the time of the disappearance.
Law enforcement located a female witness earlier in the day, who is believed to be the babysitter. She is currently safe and undergoing questioning by detectives. No names have been released regarding any individuals involved in the case.
