Minnesota 6-year-old girl missing, authorities searching Mississippi River region
Missing 6-year-old girl's mother was found dead Saturday of an alleged suicide
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Authorities are searching a portion of the Mississippi River and a surrounding park in Stearns County for a missing 6-year-old girl whose mother was found dead of an apparent suicide.
Officials believe Lisa Wade, 39, may have been involved in the disappearance of her daughter, Elle Ragin, before the Northfield woman was found dead Saturday.
Investigators said they have followed up on hundreds of leads and have used boats, dive teams and underwater search drones in their search near Rice.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}MINNESOTA POLICE: MISSING MOM AND FOUR CHILDREN COULD BE WITH FATHER DESPITE NO CONTACT ORDER
The girl's cellphone was found on land at Mississippi River Park and Wade's purse and cellphone were found in the river.
A Minnesota child is missing following the alleged suicide of her mother. (Fox News)
Police say Elle was last seen June 19 and four days later her mother had contact with a Stearns County sheriff's deputy at the park and told the officer she lost her phone and car keys while hiking and needed help. The deputy assisted her in getting her vehicle towed.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The FBI and the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension are helping with the investigation.
SEARCH FOR MISSING UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA STUDENT CONTINUES NEAR MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Authorities have closed the area where the search continues.