CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The search for a missing Clearlake girl grew on Monday, as agencies from around the region joined the effort and her worried family waited for news.
Authorities have been searching for 9-year-old Mikaela Renee Lynch since Sunday afternoon, after her father reported her missing from her family’s home on Harbor Drive, as Lake County News has reported.
It’s believed that the girl – who has autism and cannot speak – wandered away from home, and may not have been clothed when she left. She had last been seen playing in the family’s yard.
She is described as a white female, 4 feet tall and weighing 70 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes.
Lt. Tim Celli of the Clearlake Police Department said Monday that numerous agencies had joined the search.
In addition to Clearlake and Lake County officials, Napa, Sonoma, Marin and Contra Costa had sent personnel and resources to assist, Celli said.
The child’s family continued to wait and hope for her safe return.
“I have never seen parents more in love with their child than Michael and Bari. This is devastating,” said the girl’s aunt, Yvonne Heidt, who lives in Texas.
Efforts to find the girl began immediately on Sunday, with Clearlake Police personnel and volunteers, Lake County Fire, Northshore Dive Team, K-Corps and even community members assisting, according to reports from the scene.
REACH and California Highway Patrol sent helicopters to fly over Cache Creek, which is near the girl’s home.
Witnesses said officials went door to door, blocked off the street and even searched cars leaving the area.
Early Monday, dogs were being used to search, police said.
Police were staging at the Mormon Church, located at 14970 Lakeview Way, not far from where the child was last seen.
Clearlake City Councilman Joey Luiz was at the church on Monday afternoon, and said at that point 125 volunteers were estimated to be on scene, with more arriving.
“The effort from all the professionals and volunteers is outstanding and relentless,” Luiz said. “If anyone can get little Mikaela home safe it is this amazing group of people.”
For community members who want to help volunteer, they can go to the Mormon Church and find a walk-in volunteer sign up area, according to police.
Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the Clearlake Police Department at 707-994-8251 or call 911.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.