Chester announced Tuesday that after another unsuccessful day of searching for missing Li’najah Brooker that that was the end of search efforts in Chester Creek.
The city said in a press release: “Having exhausted all available resources to locate Li’najah over the past three-and-a-half days, we are now ceasing search operations. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to the family during this difficult time.”
The child fell into the swollen creek about 7 p.m. Saturday after heavy rains all day. She was with friends at the water. The circumstances of how it happened remain unclear.
Mayor Stefan Roots added these comments Tuesday:
“I stand before our community today with a heavy heart. The past days have been filled with intense efforts to locate a missing 6-year-old girl, Li’najah Brooker, who tragically fell into the Chester Creek after heavy rains on Saturday night.
“Our search, rescue, and recovery operations have been exhaustive involving multiple agencies and dedicated individuals committed to bringing her home safely.
“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to all the agencies involved in these efforts. From our local law enforcement, fire departments, emergency medical services, and search and rescue teams.”
Teams were back at the site near Eighth Street on Tuesday with scent dogs after searching Monday with sonar in the area where the girl fell in, and continuing out to the Delaware River.
“Upon completion of the searches, still nothing has been found,” the city added.
The city pointed out that all available resources were deployed during the operations over four days: “These resources have included small and large craft boatteams, dive teams, underwater and aerial drones, sonar devices, security footage, U.S. Coast Guard choppers and scent canines. We are disappointed to report that these efforts have not led to the recovery of Li’najah.”
Numerous fire companies helped on Saturday night after someone reported about 7 p.m. that the 6-year-old fell in the creek, and their search ended about 10:30 p.m., though the Coast Guard search continued through the night.
Boats and drones were involved in the search Sunday, in both directions on Chester Creek and on both sides of the Delaware River where the creek flows into it. By Sunday morning, the operation turned into a recovery, but that has not even occurred.
The fast moving current and the creek’s proximity to the much wider Delaware River was a daunting task for rescue and recovery crews, with leaders acknowledging that the girl might have been swept into the river by the violent current before the search even got started.
Saturday saw as much as 3 inches of rain fall in Delaware County and it was the rainiest March day on record at an official Philadelphia site in 152 years.
Also Tuesday, the Chester Upland School District made grief services to those in the school community who may have been impacted by the tragic event. However, the district said that the child did not attend school in the district.
The district is on spring recess this week, but said that anyone who needs support can use these resources:
Call 9-8-8 for mental health emergencies.
Text HOME to 741-741 to be connected with text-based crisis support.
Call the Delaware County Crisis Connections Team at 1-855-889-7827 for 24/7 mobile mental health support.
Peter’s Place: https://petersplaceonline.org/contact-us; 610-687-5150.
Delaware County Department of Human Services: Mental Health; https://delcopa.gov/health/mentalhealth.html.
The Dougy Center Grief and Trauma support and resources (national organization); https://www.dougy.org.
Additionally, once students and staff return from Spring Recess on Tuesday, April 2, grief support services will be available at Chester Upland School of the Arts and Chester High School. If additional counseling services are needed, staff and families are encouraged to contact the counselors at each respective school, the district said..
We also encourage parents and caregivers to have open conversations with their children about this tragic event, and to reach out to us for any assistance or support needed, the district said.
