Body of Boy Recovered from NJ River; Search Ongoing for Missing Girl

PASSAIC COUNTY, N.J. — Authorities are continuing their search for a missing 10-year-old girl after the body of a 10-year-old boy was recovered from the Passaic River early Thursday morning, officials said.

Officials said three children — a 10-year-old boy, his 11-year-old sister, and their 10-year-old female friend — entered the Passaic River on Wednesday evening.

According to Passaic Mayor Hector Lora, the 11-year-old girl was able to make it safely back to shore. The body of her 10-year-old brother was recovered at about 10 p.m., while the search continues for the missing 10-year-old girl.

In a video shared on social media shortly after 1:30 a.m. Thursday, Lora urged the public to keep the families in their thoughts.

"I ask that you continue to pray for the families and to hold them up in your thoughts because they are in need of your support," he said.

Lora also told NJ.com that the surviving 11-year-old girl told investigators her younger brother pushed her toward shore as he went under the water, a heroic act that may have saved her life.