Search of N.J.'s Passaic River continues after kids entered it, leading to boy's death

First responders' search in the Passaic River for a little girl who has been missing for more than a day was suspended on Thursday night. It will resume on Friday at 6 a.m., officials said.

This comes after the body of another child was found.

Passaic mayor Hector Lora said crews have been searching along a nine-mile stretch of the river that starts along the Passaic-Garfield border, down to Newark, and will focus on an area near Rutherford when the search resumes.

What the mayor is asking from the community is simple.

"Sometimes we wonder is it enough, these prayers these thoughts, the expressions of love it, are they enough? It is. It reaches the family. They feel it," Lora said.

3 children enter Passaic River

The tragedy unfolded at around 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, when witnesses saw three kids vanish in the river near Pulaski Park. More than two dozen marine units from multiple agencies responded using boats, sonar and drones.

One young girl, between 11 and 12 years old, made it out of the water. By her account, her 10-year-old brother may have saved her life by pushing her to safety as he was going under.

"She is home, but she is hurting and she is going to need a lot of help," Lora said.

Sadly, her brother was found about 30 feet out in the water, not far from the location where the children went in, Lora said.

Lora said there was a sonar hit under the bridge just after 11 a.m. on Thursday and a diver went into the water, but the girl has not been found.

"They are beginning to understand that this is a recovery operation. They are extremely hurt, but they are thankful for everyone, and the families have bonded together," Lora said.

Lora said the three children were playing on a boat ramp near a park when they were swept away.

"The ramp, when it's covered by water, gives the perception that it's much longer than it is. The children appear to have been on the ramp together and may have dropped in together," Lora said.

A good Samaritan jumped into the water to try to help the children, but was unable to reach them due to the depth of the water and the current.

"We still hold on to hope"

Many families who were out scouring the riverbanks Thursday morning said the thought of the little girl still unaccounted for left them distraught.

"We can't sleep. We're anticipating the news on what's going on with this little girl. It's breaking our hearts to not know what's happening, and we're just hoping for the best," one woman said.

As the search operation continues, family members spoke glowingly of the missing girl.

"We still hold on to hope," family member Darrel Maggins said. "It's devastating news, man, just to think of ... just to think of your family member out there, like, it's heartbreaking."

"Beautiful girl, outgoing, loved everybody. She loved to do nails, very artistic," another family member said. "She was just a perfect little girl."