Authorities in Boone County confirmed that a missing 9-year-old girl was found dead in a pond Saturday evening following a large search operation that began the previous day.
The Boone County Sheriff’s Office said search teams discovered the body of Jenny Dim around 7:30 p.m. in a pond located near her home. The recovery was carried out by the Hamilton County Underwater Search and Recovery Unit.
Girl reported missing Friday
Jenny was last seen around 5 p.m. Friday on MacIntosh Lane in Florence, prompting Kentucky State Police to issue an Ian Alert, which is used when a child with autism or a mental disability goes missing or may be in danger.
Authorities said the girl had been walking toward Afton Drive before she disappeared.
Officials described Jenny as about 4 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 53 pounds. She had brown hair, brown eyes and pierced ears. At the time she went missing, she was believed to be wearing a mint-blue jacket and pink headphones, but she did not have shoes on.
Investigators also said the child was non-verbal.
Large search effort across several miles
The search quickly grew into a major operation involving multiple agencies, volunteers and community members. Officials said more than 20 agencies participated in the effort, including federal, state and local responders.
Search teams used drones, helicopters, K-9 units and ground crews to comb through nearby neighborhoods and surrounding areas. Authorities said teams searched roughly four square miles while also checking several nearby bodies of water.
Residents in the community were asked to review home security camera footage and carefully check their properties, including sheds, vehicles, porches and other enclosed spaces where a child might seek shelter.
Officials noted that family members had told searchers the girl sometimes liked to crawl into small or enclosed spaces.
Investigation now underway
Following the discovery of the child’s body, authorities announced that the large-scale search and rescue operation had ended. The case has now been turned over to investigators with the sheriff’s office’s criminal investigations division.
Officials thanked first responders, volunteers and members of the public who assisted in the search effort.
Law enforcement said anyone with additional information related to the case is encouraged to contact the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.