Search For Missing Child On Haines Point

On May 17, 2009 at about 6:00 pm, United States Park Police Officers were alerted to a child’s bicycle leaning against the sea wall on Haines Point at Bay 9 and a fishing pole next to it with the line in the water. There were no people around the bicycle.

Concerned that a child may have gone into the water and be unaccounted for, the United States Park Police and the Washington, DC Police Harbor Patrol commenced a search to ascertain the welfare of the bicycle’s owner.

While United States Park Police Officers scoured the area and interviewed passersby, the Harbor Patrol deployed divers into the water to assure that there was no one in the water.

In the course of this investigation, the ownership of the bicycle determined. United States Park Police Officers went to the home of the owner of the bicycle and learned that the child was accounted for. The bicycle had been stolen from the owner over a week ago. The water search was completed to assure that even if the rider was not the owner, he or she could be accounted for. The extensive dive search did not indicate anyone in the water.

The United States Park Police reminds the public that bicycle registration with your local government can greatly assist in the return of lost and stolen property, as well as assist authorities in accounting for people who may have been the victims of accidents or crimes.