A Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter crew searches the coast of Galveston, Thursday and Friday, for a missing 12-year-old girl. U.S. Coast Guard photo. (Click image to view video on DVIDShub.net)
HOUSTON — The Coast Guard, state and local emergency responders ended their search for a missing 12-year-old girl Saturday afternoon, after Galveston Beach Patrol located a body matching the girl's description near Stewart Beach in Galveston, Texas.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jonathan Andrechik, the command duty officer at Sector Houston-Galveston. “We are deeply saddened by this outcome, and we appreciate the dedicated efforts of everyone involved in the search.”
At 3:51 p.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston received a call from the Galveston Police Department notifying them of the missing girl. The sector watchstanders coordinated the launch of an Air Station Houston aircrew and a Station Galveston boatcrew to respond.
The Coast Guard joined 19 lifeguards and 2 personal watercraft from Galveston Beach Patrol along with multiple personnel assisting from Galveston Police Department and Fire Department in search of the girl by boat and helicopter, Thursday and Friday. The Coast Guard also continued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast throughout Friday evening into Saturday. Galveston Beach Patrol continued their searches Saturday as well.
Galveston Beach Patrol and Police Department are working with the County Medical Examiner to identify the body.