Search for missing child to resume Friday morning

Police and first responders will resume a water search for a six-year-old boy who disappeared while swimming in the river Thursday afternoon at Mill Race Park. Authorities say that Brendan Sperry was playing on a sandbar with relatives when he waded to far in to the water and was swept away. Family members say that a 14-year-old cousin tried to save the boy, but she was unable to do so.

The initial call for help came in just after 3 p.m. Jet Quillen, spokesman for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, says that several people and agencies are involved in the search.

Crews were on the scene until just after 10:30 p.m. before calling it a night. They are set to resume the search at 8 a.m. Friday. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that Mill Race Park will remain closed until further notice.

06-15 MATT HARRIS-1

Family members say that Brendan and his family had just moved to Columbus about a month ago. The boy’s father, a member of the Indiana National Guard, was recently deployed to Australia. Family say he’s set to return home on Tuesday.