Search ends for girl reported missing at Halifax's Kearney Lake

The search for a girl reported missing by a bystander at Kearney Lake in Halifax has ended.

In an update to media Thursday at 9:17 p.m. AT, Halifax Regional Police said the girl had not been found and there was no indication of foul play. Police also noted no missing person report was filed by a parent or a guardian.

Earlier in the day, police said a concerned citizen reported seeing a girl playing in the water and then no longer saw her. Police were not given a name for the girl. They released descriptions of the girl and photos of items she left behind.

Police and firefighters were called to the lake at 12:15 p.m.

According to police, the concerned citizen was at the lake's beach near Hamshaw Drive when they saw the girl, believed to be about five years old. Police did not say if the girl was alone, but the person later reported her missing when they no longer saw her.

The girl is described as white, under four feet tall with a slim build and brown shoulder-length hair. She was last seen wearing a dark peach/maroon one-piece bathing suit.

Police say the girl left behind a pair of denim shorts with pink and green embroidery, a blue T-shirt with "Let's go Ninja" written on it, a pair of swim goggles and a single key. They released photos of the items in hopes someone would recognize them and be able to share the girl's identity.

A boat, drone and police dog were out on the lake and in the area looking for the girl in the afternoon and into the night.

"We are searching just to rule out that no one is in there," Dave Slaunwhite, district chief for Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency, said earlier in the day.

Around 3:15 p.m., members of a ground search and rescue team started to arrive and help look for the girl. At least one member of the team was out on the lake in a paddleboard and another member was snorkelling.

Tips with information on the girl's whereabouts can be shared with police directly at 902-490-5020. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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