PASSAIC, NEW JERSEY — A couple living in a building near the Market Street Bridge spotted the body from their apartment window and called 911. The girl's body was found in the water south of the Market Street Bridge, approximately 100 feet from the bridge. Emergency crews deployed boats within 15 minutes of the 911 call to recover the body.

Passaic Fire Chief Patrick Trentacost Sr. said the department maintained its presence throughout the operation. "We never, ever pulled our people out until we felt that there was no other thing we could do," he said.

Lora expressed gratitude to the residents who identified the location of the remains. We are so grateful to this couple. Some people would've seen something obscure and gone back into their apartment, but not this couple, Lora said.

He noted that their actions prevented the current from carrying the body further away. "Had that couple not said anything, and the current, as fast and as strong as it was, would've continued all night, there could be a possibility [the body] would've ended up by the Newark Bay and continued, and we may have never found her," he said.

The incident began on Wednesday evening when three children entered the Passaic River near a boat ramp at Pulaski Park in Passaic. The 11-year-old girl and the 10-year-old boy are siblings, and the 10-year-old girl is their friend. All three children are from Garfield, New Jersey.

The 11-year-old girl escaped the river on her own. According to the surviving sister, the boy pushed her toward rocks as he went under, allowing her to climb out. Lora relayed this account during a press conference.

"In conversing with her, her account, the little boy may have saved her life. As he was going under, he pushed her and she ended up by the rocks, and she climbed out," he said.

A man jumped into the river in an attempt to rescue the children but was unable to reach them due to strong currents and high water levels. The body of the 10-year-old boy was recovered from the river late Wednesday night. His body was found approximately 50 feet from where he entered the water.

Search crews used boats, sonar, drones, cadaver dogs, helicopters, and divers during the operation for the missing girl. The search covered nearly nine miles of the Passaic River. Lora stated that the tide in the Passaic River on Thursday was extremely low, making it difficult for rescue teams to navigate by boat and search for the girl.

Lora provided context regarding the families involved in the tragedy. The father of the missing 10-year-old girl died recently, according to the mayor. The family of the 11-year-old girl who survived the incident had also recently lost their father, according to Lora.

The mayor described the emotional state of the mother during the wait for recovery. "We didn't see any rain in that area, but there was a very strong rainbow that just stood there. This brought some comfort to the mother as she was waiting to see her little girl," he said.

He noted the complex emotions present at the scene. "Obviously, there was some relief that she was able to see her child, but at the same time, extreme grief and understanding that there was confirmation that she has lost her daughter," he said.

Garfield Mayor Everett E. Garnto Jr. also commented on the resolution of the search. "I'm just so grateful that the body was recovered. Unfortunately, it's not the outcome we wanted, but it gives the family tonight some peace," Garnto said.

He observed the condition of the remains upon recovery. "She looked just like she was when she left the house. So I'm glad it brought the mother peace," he said.

Lora addressed the conditions at the site where the children entered the water. "Unfortunately, the ramp, when it's covered by water, gives the perception that it's much longer than what it is. The children appear to have all been on the ramp together, and they had dropped in together," he said. The names of the children have not been released.

Why It Matters

The recovery provides closure for the family, though officials note the outcome brings both relief and extreme grief. A couple's decision to report the sighting prevented strong currents from carrying the body into Newark Bay, which could have made identification impossible. The incident shows how quickly river conditions can turn deadly when submerged ramps create false perceptions of distance.