Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
After more than a week of intense searching, the Upper Makefield Township Police Department announced Wednesday afternoon that crews have ended the “active search” for 9-month-old Conrad Sheils, who was swept away by flash flooding on the evening of July 15.
“At this point, we have exhausted all means of attempting to locate Conrad. With broken hearts, we regretfully announce that the active search for Conrad has concluded,” police said in a statement.
Credit: Submitted
Since the flooding, hundreds of personnel, including marine units, K-9 units, divers, sonar, and air assets, have combed the areas near the flood site on Washington Crossing Road (Route 532), the Delaware Canal, and the Delaware River and its banks on both the Pennsylvania and New Jersey sides.
On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Wilderness Search And Rescue group was searching along the Delaware River off River Road and islands in the waterway. The group brought specially-trained search dogs.
Upper Makefield Township Fire Chief Tim Brewer told NewtownPANow.com there were additional search efforts on Wednesday, including more than a dozen boats from New Jersey checking the river from Bristol Township to Upper Makefield Township. He also noted the Philadelphia Police Department had increased their boat patrols on the river.
Seven people were killed in the flash flooding, and Conrad’s remains are the only ones not recovered.
The body of Conrad’s sister, Matilda “Mattie” Sheils, 2, was located last Friday 32-river-miles away in Philadelphia.
The Sheils family, who has been kept up to date with the search’s progress, expressed their profound gratitude for the effort put into the operation. They thanked the search team and the public for their love, support, and kind words during this extremely difficult time, police said.
“Although, at this time, we were unable to reunite Conrad with his loving family, he will forever live in our hearts and he will never be forgotten,” police said. “We thank all of you for your messages, for your offers to help, for all your encouragement, and for all your patience and understanding during this tragic event. We truly worked as one team and will forever be connected. We stood together and we stood strong. Thank you.”
Reporter Alex Irving contributed to this report.
