Body of Missing 10-Year-Old Girl Recovered From New Jersey River

The body of the missing 10-year-old girl who vanished in the Passaic River was recovered Friday evening, ending a heartbreaking search that began after three children entered the water near a city park on Wednesday.

Passaic Mayor Hector Lora said the girl's body was discovered around 6:40 p.m. near the Market Street Bridge, approximately 1.25 miles from the boat launch at Pulaski Park where the children entered the river.

According to Lora, two people spotted the body from the roof of a building on Market Street. They immediately went down for a closer look and called 911. Rescue crews arrived on the water within 15 minutes.

The girl was later pronounced deceased by the medical examiner in Wallington while surrounded by her family.

Emergency crews recovered the body of the second child, a 10-year-old boy, Wednesday night. The third child, the boy's 11-year-old sister, was able to make it safely out of the river.

Passaic Mayor Hector Lora said the children's names are expected to be released in the coming days.

Investigators believe the three children entered the water from the boat ramp at Pulaski Park after underestimating its depth. Two of the children were then swept away by the river's strong current.

Officials said a man jumped into the river and located the children underwater but was unable to reach them because of the powerful current. He estimated the water was about 15 feet deep just beyond the boat ramp.

"They were all friends playing at Pulaski Park," Miggins said.

All three children were Passaic residents who lived in neighborhoods near the river.

The body of the 10-year-old boy was recovered around 11 p.m. Wednesday, about 30 feet from the entrance to the Pulaski Park boat launch. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The boy's 11-year-old sister survived after he apparently helped her reach the rocks along the riverbank.

Authorities were called to the scene around 6:20 p.m. Wednesday after receiving reports that three children had entered the river. According to Lora, the surviving girl said her younger brother's actions may have saved her life.

"The little boy had placed his hand on her head while he was trying to get himself up," Lora said. "In doing so, she ended up going underwater and she felt a rock, so she used the rocks to climb out. He created conditions for her to get out."

Emergency crews from multiple agencies across Bergen and Passaic counties responded Wednesday evening, deploying rescue boats, dive teams and drones in an extensive search.

The search continued through Wednesday and Thursday nights, with crews combing the riverbanks and nearby bridges. On Thursday and Friday, boats and divers returned to the water with additional support from the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission.

Before the girl's body was recovered, Lora urged the community to rally around the grieving families.

"We're holding out with hope that she can be found, but right now, the family needs to know the support and the love of the community," he said.

Miggins said the girl's family remained near the Pulaski Park boat launch throughout the search and expressed gratitude for the tireless efforts of first responders.

"There was a large police presence with drones, helicopters, dive teams and even sonar equipment scanning the river," Miggins said. "They're doing everything they can. The mayor is doing everything possible to help recover her."