Body of Missing 10-Year-Old Girl Found After Days of Searching — A Community Mourns a Heartbreaking Loss
A community has been left grieving after the body of a missing 10-year-old girl was recovered from the Passaic River in New Jersey, bringing a heartbreaking end to an intensive search that lasted several days.
The girl, identified in media reports as Milian Dula, disappeared on July 29, 2026, after three children entered the water near a boat launch in Passaic. Strong currents swept the children into the river, prompting an urgent search involving emergency crews and local authorities. <Cite refs={[“turn427555search1″,”turn427555search3”]}/>
A Search That Ended in Tragedy
According to officials, an 11-year-old girl managed to reach safety, but two 10-year-old children remained missing.
The body of a 10-year-old boy, identified in reports as Michael Klenk, was recovered later that Wednesday evening. Search teams continued looking for Milian, using boats and specialized equipment to search the river.
On Friday evening, July 31, authorities recovered the girl’s body near the Market Street Bridge. Passaic Mayor Hector Lora confirmed the discovery, bringing the search to a tragic conclusion. <Cite refs={[“turn427555search2″,”turn427555search7”]}/>
A Community in Mourning
The tragedy deeply affected the families and the surrounding community. Friends, neighbors, and local residents came together to remember the two children and offer support to their grieving loved ones.
At a memorial held in early August, community members gathered along the river to honor Michael and Milian. Flowers were placed in the water as people paid tribute to the young lives lost. <Cite refs={[“turn427555news6”]}/>
An Important Reminder About Water Safety
The incident has also highlighted the dangers of playing near rivers, particularly in areas with steep banks, deep water, or strong currents.
Even when the surface appears calm, currents can be powerful enough to carry people away in seconds. Authorities and water-safety experts regularly warn families to keep children away from restricted boat ramps and river edges without appropriate supervision.
A Tragic Ending
For the families involved, the recovery of Milian’s body brought confirmation after days of uncertainty, but it also marked the beginning of an unimaginable period of grief.
As the community remembers the two children, the tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly an ordinary outing can turn into an emergency.
Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and everyone affected by this heartbreaking loss.