COLUMBUS, Ind. – UPDATE: The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) has continued the search for two-year-old, Emma Sweet. On Saturday, at approximately 10:30 a.m., BCSO deputies, Columbus Township Fire, Indiana State Police, and DNR divers along with 31 Wrecker recovered the vehicle belonging to Jeremy Sweet, the father of the missing child.
When the car was retrieved, it was confirmed that the young girl was not in the vehicle or underneath the car in the water. However, what is believed to be Emma’s coat was found downstream.
At this time, law enforcement is conducting both a ground and river search, which involves several law enforcement agencies and fire departments.
Sheriff Matt Myers said there are no further updates for now. The search resumes Sunday morning.
Original: The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) was dispatched to the east fork of the White River, off of State Road 11 South, on Friday at 6 a.m., in regards to a truck that had been located by duck hunters.
The vehicle, with a man inside, was partially submerged in the water near a farm at the end of Beatty Lane. Jeremy Sweet, of Columbus, was taken to Columbus Regional Health for treatment of exposure to hypothermia.
During the investigation, it was learned that Sweet might have had his two-year-old daughter with him. They were both reported as missing on Thanksgiving day, but it is unknown if the child had been in the truck when it was found. Both individuals were last seen on Wednesday, November 24, at noon.
The child, Emma Sweet is two years old and is described as having brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing all black clothing and a cream-colored jacket with butterflies on it.
If you have seen her or have any information, no matter how seemingly insignificant, call authorities.
*UPDATE: BCSO says the search was called off Friday night and is set to resume Saturday morning.