Rescue crews search for missing 8-year-old near Schramm Park

Late Thursday afternoon, volunteers joined the search for an 8-year old girl missing along the Platte River at Schramm State Park.

First responders rushed to the area after 8-year-old Tarie was reported missing.

The community responded to helping with the search almost immediately.

People used personal boats and other equipment to help locate the missing girl.

“She’s 8 and this river is a place that’s unpredictable. We’re uncertain at this time if she had a life jacket on or not but right now we’re focused on finding her,” said Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Dennis Svoboda.

Svoboda said several families with kids were gathered on a sandbar, and it’s possible Tarie got separated from her group.

Rescue crews used airboats, helicopters, and officers on the ground to aid in the search.

They also turned to the public.

“I would ask that any residents or anybody who is along the river from Schramm Park downstream to be vigilant, stay aware, keep your eyes open because you never know,” Svoboda said.

And by evening, the public answered the call. Including Josh McDorman.

“This is horrible. I’m a father, I have three kids and I’d want all these people out here doing the same thing for my kid,” McDorman said.

McDorman was one of a handful of people who volunteered to help find Tarie.

“We heard it on the radio and figured we could at least get some air coverage, maybe that’d be the best thing to do,” he said.

McDorman brought his drone to the banks of the Platte River and launched it over the water, hoping to spot something -- anything the naked eye might miss.

“You can see a couple hundred feet when you’re flat like this. But when you get the drone up you can see a half-mile down the river and if she’s wearing a life preserver or any bright colors you’re gonna see that on the camera,” he said.

McDorman planned to keep searching until his drone’s batteries ran out.

“Hope we can go find her,” he said.

The search was suspended Thursday night. It will resume Friday at 8 a.m.