8-Year-Old Girl Swept Away in Missouri River Identified, Search Winds Down

The Gallatin County Sheriff's Office has identified the missing 8-year-old girl who slipped into the Missouri River last week as Madison Veele of Logan, Montana. 

Since Sunday, April 19, The Gallatin County Sheriff’s office and search and rescue crews from at least three other counties have put in over 3000 man-hours to search for Madison. Gallatin County Undersheriff Dan Springer says the search will continue today, but not at same intensity.

"Essentially we did suspend all major operations," Springer said. "What that means is that we don't have the 50 - 100 people out there with multiple resources. We have not canceled the search by any means, we are running the banks two to three times a day and we are running boats as well."

Springer says the search efforts may intensify again if there are some substantial changes.

"If we have any changing conditions in the river or any clues, whatever those might be, we would certainly then start ramping back up," Springer said. "It's a tough situation, the visibility is less than six inches underwater, and even though we have combed it and covered it with cameras, you still have to have a little bit of luck."

Veale disappeared on Sunday, April 19, while throwing rocks into the river while in sight of her mother.