ROCKPORT — A Coast Guard cutter is continuing a search for the nearly 3-year-old Gloucester girl who has been reported as missing at Long Beach in Rockport since just after noon today.
But Massachusetts State Police dive teams, other state emergency personnel and local authorities hve pullled back and are set to resume their searches in the morning for Caleigh Ann Harrison, the daughter of Allison Hammond of Washington Street.
Caleigh is described as having light brown hair and was last seen wearing a light pink top and darker pink bottoms, officials say. She was first reported missing at 12:10 p.m.
Coast Guard helicopters and at least one vessel have been helping authorities in scouring the area throughout the day.
State Police spokesman David Procopio told the media in a 6:30 p.m. press conference tonight that authorities have not ruled out foul play.
But, according to police, the girl, age 2 years, nine months, was playing on the beach with her mother and her sister, Elizabeth, age 4, authorities and family members said.
At some point, Procopio said, a ball with which the girls were playing went over a wall near the spot where Lnog Beach meets Cape Hedge Beach, and the girls' mother briefly went to retrieve it. When she looked back, police say, Caleigh was no longer with her sister.
The Rockport Fire Department, Gloucester Police and Massachusetts State and Environmental Police have also been assisting in the search effort.
For more on this story, look to tomorrow's print and online editions of the Gloucester Daily Times and gloucestertimes.com.
Stephanie Bergman can contacted at 978-283-7000 x3451 or sbergman@gloucestertimes.com
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