The search for the missing 16-year-old Villa Park teenager will continue this morning at 8 a.m. at W. Belmont Ave. and N. River Rd. near Franklin Park, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced today. The Sheriff announced Monday afternoon that the Sheriff’s Office has taken the lead on the search effort.
All available resources will be included in this search including sonar boats, helicopters, search dogs and searchers on foot. The search will continue until the teenager is found.
The Sheriff asks that anyone interested in volunteering to help with the search effort please contact: (847) 635-1188.
The teen was last seen on Saturday, May 13 jumping into the Des Plaines River with friends, off of a railway bridge in Thatcher Woods near Melrose Park.
The bridge, which is commonly referred to as the “Rainbow Bridge,” is in an extremely hazardous and unmarked location, void of any fencing. After walking the bridge Monday evening, the Sheriff demanded that Canadian National Railway (CN), the owner of the bridge, immediately take all necessary steps to secure the bridge, including installing fencing and posting signage, to prevent another tragedy.
The Sheriff warns the public against engaging in any similar activities at the bridge.