Crews search for missing girl in Rockport

ROCKPORT, Mass. (WHDH) -- Crews searched overnight for a 2.5-year-old girl that was reported missing on Long Beach near Seaview Street in Rockport on Thursday.

Caleigh Harrison, of Gloucester, has been missing since noon Thursday. She is approximately 27 to 35 pounds and under 3 feet tall. She has light brown hair and blue-gray eyes. She was last seen wearing a light pink t-shirt and dark pink Capri pants.

She was playing near a footbridge on Long Beach in Rockport with her mother, 4-year-old sister and dog when the ball they were playing with bounced over a wall.

“Mrs. Harrison went up to that area to retrieve the ball, did so, and in the span of maybe two minutes, looked back and observed that Caleigh Harrison was no longer standing with her other daughter,” said Mass. State Police spokesperson, David Procopio.

That launched a massive search with state police and Coast Guard helicopters in the sky, police dogs checking an area creek, divers looking along the shore line, boats canvassing the ocean and civilians walking the creek beds.

“We’ve knocked on doors, canine actually followed us to the marsh,” said Gina Manley, who helped with the search.

After hours of searching nothing turned up. State police said they cannot rule out foul play.

“The search of the area, the ocean, the land has not turned up Caleigh so we have to assume that foul play is potential,” said Procopio.

Police said there were very few people on the beach when Caleigh disappeared. Police said Caleigh’s sister, although she tried, could not provide any substantial leads.

The biggest concern is the Atlantic Ocean itself. Investigators said where the family was playing has high potential of dangerous currents.

“It empties out very quickly, very rapidly, if somebody were in there it’s a possibility they could have been swept out,” said an official.

State police investigators worked throughout the night. Helicopters, divers and other search boats were set to return Friday morning to continue their search for Caleigh.

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