The Richland County Sheriff’s Department wishes to express our sympathy to the family and friends of five year old Angela Girton. On Thursday evening, May 28th the body of a juvenile female believed to be that of Angela Girton was recovered from the Wisconsin River near Port Andrew.
Last evening at 5:49pm The Richland County Sheriff’s Department Communications Center received a call from a citizen on Hwy 60 who stated he thought he had found a body in the river. The citizen was doing some yard work near the north shore of the river, when he observed what he thought was a body next to a fallen tree approximately 6 feet off the shore. The concerned citizen contacted Richland County Authorities and Sheriff’s Deputies responded. Upon their arrival, deputies confirmed the body of a juvenile female at that location. A call was made for Blue River Fire and Rescue to respond. Blue River arrived with a boat and personnel and assisted with recovery of the body.
Richland County Coroner James Rossing also responded to the scene. The Coroner’s office is now working on the positive identification of the body through the use of dental records and DNA.
A pink top was found on the body during the recovery effort. This matches the description of the top Angela Girton was wearing on the day of her disappearance. This and the size and height of the body lead us to believe it is Angela.
Authorities have been searching for Angela since the evening of Monday April 6th, when a 911 call was made by an off duty Richland County Dispatcher fishing on the river at the time. A group of children told the off duty dispatcher that a young girl had fallen into the river and they were going for help. The child was described as a female approximately 5 years of age wearing a pink top. An extensive search commenced. On that date, and since, many professionals and volunteers have dedicated countless hours and resources to attain one goal…to find Angela Girton.
The Sheriff’s Department has been keeping a case file on the incident, and will continue to work toward completing that file.
Sheriff Bindl would like to express sincere thanks to all of the agencies, citizen volunteers, and everyone who helped in the search since she first went missing and was presumed drowned on April 6th, 2015. Many people have given of their time and resources to try and locate Angela.
Sheriff James Bindl
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