Coast Guard Suspends Search For Missing Swimmer In Atlantic City

The Coast Guard suspended its search Monday for a missing 10-year-old boy who was last seen swimming near the Boardwalk in Atlantic City Sunday night.

Crews searched the area from Atlantic City to Longport, totaling 85 square miles.

Capt. Kathy Moore, commander of Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay in Philadelphia, said the decision to suspend a search was "very difficult," but was made after an exhaustive search.

"I cannot imagine the sadness felt by the child’s family, and my deepest sympathy goes out to them,” Moore said.

A member of the Atlantic City Police Department notified Coast Guard Station Atlantic City watchstanders at about 7:10 p.m. Sunday, reporting  the boy, who was wearing orange shorts, went missing while swimming with his 9-year-old sister.

After he went under water, his sister swam to shore for help and notified a woman who reported the distress to the police, according to the Coast Guard. 

Coast Guard assets involved in the search included two 25-foot Response Boat – Small crews and a 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew from Station Atlantic City, and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Atlantic City.

State and Atlantic City police officers and the Atlantic City Beach Patrol also searched for the child.