Updated Tuesday, July 17, 2024, at 10:10 a.m. CDT to reflect that the search has been reestablished.
DANVILLE, IL (Chambana Today) – Danville Police Department (DPD) says that they’ve continued their search for a missing 12-year-old who went missing while swimming in the Vermilion River Sunday night.
With the assistance of the Vermilion County Sheriff’s Department and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, they say they have been able to bring in additional resources and equipment to air the teams with the search.
DPD asks on its Facebook page to please stay clear of the area and let the law enforcement teams conduct their search of the water. They stress that not heeding their request could lead to interference with the use of their equipment.
DPD also reminds you that this is an ongoing investigation and that no other information is being released at this time.
Original story published Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at 3:03 p.m.: A 12-year-old boy was reported missing Monday, July 15, 2024, in the Vermillion County area.
Officials from the Danville Police Department (DPD) say that he was last seen by two juveniles who told them that he was swimming in the Vermilion River near the 100 block of Commercial St.
DPD said that the boy had apparently been overwhelmed by the current and pulled under the water. Danville and Vermilion County officers were dispatched to move in and search the riverbank area. The Vermilion County Sheriff’s Dive Team joined the search with a boat.
Intense winds and a destructive severe thunderstorm warning went into effect around 10 p.m. causing a break in the search. The search resumed Tuesday at 8 a.m. with divers and boats deployed and searching the area. Danville police have asked that those trying to assist in the search not enter the river due to unsafe conditions.
The investigation is ongoing and no other information is being released at this time. If you have information regarding this case, please contact DPD at 217-431-2250, or call Vermilion County Crime Stoppers at 217-446-TIPS.