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Search for Missing Girl Near Poplar Called Off, Authorities Believe She Drowned in Missouri River

By The Associated Press

Story Created: Mar 17, 2010 at 9:45 AM MST

Story Updated: Mar 18, 2010 at 9:32 AM MST

BILLINGS, Mont. - Richland County authorities have called off the search for an 11-year-old girl missing since Sunday afternoon.

Sheriff Brad Baisch says he believes Ivy Leinen fell into the Missouri River and drowned while walking the family dogs near Poplar.

When the dogs returned to the house without the girl, her family started looking for her.

Tracking dogs found Leinen's tracks across the ice on the river to an island and then to the main channel of the river, ending at an open spot in the ice.

Based on the dogs' tracks around the water's edge, Baisch says it appears Leinen fell into the water and the dogs ran back and forth along the edge of the ice unable to help her.

Baisch says the conditions are too dangerous to be on the ice searching for her body.

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