The disappearance of a teenager during a lake outing with friends has sparked a massive search and criminal investigation. The case involves 11-year-old Angelique Cunningham, who vanished from a boat on Lake Erie in Ohio on the evening of July 2, 2026 .
Angelique was on a boat with her babysitter, 41-year-old Kristen Gerrie, and 38-year-old Jonathan Ciha when the trio set sail from Meinke Marina in Jerusalem Township . Within just 15 minutes of departure, the young girl had disappeared from the vessel . The situation took an even more alarming turn when Ciha’s body was discovered in the water the following day. A deputy coroner determined that he drowned, though the circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation .
Gerrie managed to swim to shore and was later questioned by authorities. She was arrested on July 4 and charged with endangering children in connection with the case . She is currently being held on $50,000 bail. The boat was recovered near West Sister Island, and authorities have not yet elaborated on what exactly transpired during the fateful trip .
Despite an extensive search involving multiple agencies including the Coast Guard, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and local fire departments, the search for Angelique was suspended on July 3 and has since transitioned to a recovery effort . A body of a young girl was discovered near the Lake Erie shoreline on July 5, though officials have not yet confirmed the identity . The investigation remains active as authorities continue to piece together this tragic case that has left a community in mourning.
