Authorities announced on Wednesday that the search for the 9-month-old infant who was swept away by floodwaters in southeastern Pennsylvania has concluded after 12 days with no sign of the child.
Conrad Sheils, his 2-year-old sister Matilda “Mattie” Sheils, and their mother went missing in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on July 15, according to authorities. The family attempted to escape the intense inundation that had enveloped their car.
Mattie’s corpse was discovered in the Delaware River 32 miles downstream from where she was transported away on Friday. Crews had previously located the body of their mother, 32-year-old Katie Seley.
Wednesday, local police announced that their search for Conrad was complete.
Search for Missing Conrad Ends with Heavy Hearts, No Leads Found
The Upper Makefield Township Police Department stated, “At this time, we have exhausted every possible means of locating Conrad.” “With broken hearts, we regretfully announce that the active search for Conrad has concluded.”
According to the department, crews had conducted a massive search operation involving hundreds of personnel, drones, vessels, K9s, divers, sonar, and air assets for days.
According to the police, marine units and K9 teams have been searching the Delaware River and its islands and banks.
Tim Brewer, chief of the Upper Makefield Fire Company, previously stated that the Sheils children and their family, who were vacationing from South Carolina, were traveling to a barbecue on July 15 when a “wall of water” approached them.
Mattie and Conrad were seized by their mother and grandmother as they attempted to flee. The father seized the 4-year-old sibling of the children.
According to the fire commander, the father and his 4-year-old son “miraculously” reached safety. The mother, grandmother, and children were however taken away. Authorities reported that the children’s grandmother survived and was hospitalized.
According to the National Weather Service, one of the deadliest meteorological hazards in the United States is inundation. According to the weather service, 2 feet of surging water is sufficient to carry away the majority of vehicles, including pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles.
Read also: Unprecedented Ocean Heat Changing Shark Behavior
Source: CNN
