An Ohio woman has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of her 11-year-old neighbor during a boating trip on Lake Erie, during which another passenger was found dead. Kristen Gerrie, 41, was charged with endangering children on Friday, according to reports.
Angelique Cunningham, 11, vanished from the boat Wednesday night. Gerrie and Jonathan Ciha, 38, were also on board when they departed from Meinke Marina in Jerusalem Township. Authorities stated Cunningham disappeared from the vessel within 15 minutes of setting sail.
The body of Ciha was discovered floating in the water Thursday morning by a boater who called 911. A deputy coroner determined the cause of death to be drowning, though the circumstances remain under investigation. Gerrie reportedly swam ashore after the incident and was questioned by authorities.
Authorities suspended the search for Cunningham on Friday evening, stating they had exhausted all available resources. The Toledo Fire and Rescue Department indicated that the search had transitioned into a recovery effort. A body, believed to be a girl, was found near the Lake Erie shoreline on Sunday, but officials have not yet confirmed the identity.
The boat was recovered Thursday near West Sister Island. Details regarding what transpired on the boat have not been elaborated upon by authorities, and Ciha's relationship to Gerrie and Cunningham is unclear. Gerrie is being held on $50,000 bail as the investigation continues. The Toledo Fire and Rescue Department issued a statement expressing thoughts for the family and requesting the public give emergency crews space to conduct their operation.