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Search for 9-year-old Des Arc girl continues after being swept away by river

The search for a 9-year-old Des Arc girl continued today.

The search for a 9-year-old Des Arc girl continued today.

The Prairie County Sheriff’s Department think Promise Archer was swept away by a strong current in the White River Sunday.

They’ve been searching for her since then, with 20 rescue boats out on the water today.

"I can't even imagine what the family is going through. She used to come to our church on Wednesday nights. We have some members who are really close with her and they're heartbroken over this,” said John Pressgrove with the Arkansas Forestry Commission.

Archer reportedly was last seen out on a sand bar in Des Arc Sunday afternoon with family.

"I would advise people, if they're going to be in the river, to put a life vest on. If you can't swim stay away from it,” urged Prairie County Assistant Chief Dewane Mayher.

The water is a summertime favorite for many but can be dangerous and even deadly if not careful.

Mayher does not think Archer knows how to swim.

"I came from my grandmother's house straight here. I spent all day and most of the night here until they called off the search. Then came back today to help,” Marcus Fisher said, one of many local volunteers.

Members from the community, Arkansas Game and Fish, the Forestry Commission and many other agencies are working tirelessly to help find this little girl.

“We'll wait until they finish and ride back up and down the river until we can, hopefully, bring this baby home to her mother and father,” said Pressgrove.

Police don’t respond to incidents like this often in Des Arc, but there have been several recent drownings around the state.

“We've had Arkansas Game and Fish and State Police here. As well as agencies from around the sheriff’s department,” added Mayher.

The Monroe County Sheriff's Department also assisted with search efforts today.

All search and rescue teams promise to continue searching for Promise until they find her.

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