Northfield police continue search for missing girl, give update Tuesday afternoon

Northfield police held a news conference Tuesday afternoon as they continue their search for a missing 6-year-old girl.

Northfield Police Chief Mark Elliott said authorities still haven’t been able to find 6-year-old Elle Ragin and their search remains active.

Ragin, who remains missing three days after her mother was found dead in their townhome, was last seen on June 19, according to Elliott. Two days later, her mother, 39-year-old Lisa Wade, drove to Mississippi River County Park. That afternoon, Wade’s phone shut off and hasn’t turned back on.

RELATED: Northfield police asking for help finding missing 6-year-old

The following week, police say family members said Wade seemed “distraught.” Wade died of an apparent suicide at their townhome Saturday.

Police tell 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS they have been searching throughout the night, and have followed up on several leads, learning what they’re describing as “valuable information.” As of Tuesday, their search was still focused on the water at Mississippi River County Park.

Police say they have reason to believe Wade could be responsible for Ragin’s disappearance. Ragin was set to be a second-grade student at Prairie Creek Community School this fall.

During the weekend, the search was on for Ragin, with police canvassing the neighborhood.

Tuesday afternoon, the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office said they had helped Northfield Police with a search for a missing juvenile in the Mississippi River County Park, and had sent in members of the Dive Team.

Authorities say team members searched the park from July 3-5, adding the park is closed to the public until further notice.

Federal, state and local authorities are involved in the case, and BCA investigators arrived at the home Monday night.

Anyone with information that could help police in the investigation is asked to call police at 507-645-4477.

Northfield Police held a press conference Tuesday afternoon to provide an update on the search for Elle Ragin. Click the video player below to watch the full news conference.

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Here is a list of suicide prevention and mental health resources:

• U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Minnesota Department of Health’s Suicide Prevention Program
• Minnesota Department of Human Service’s adult mental health resources
  • DHS map and list of statewide adult mental health crisis response phone numbers
  • DHS map and list of statewide children’s mental health crisis response phone numbers
• The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Minnesota
• Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255, Press 1
• Minnesota Farm and Rural Mental Health Helpline at 833-600-2670, ext. 1
• Crisis Phone Line – In the Twin Cities metro area, call **CRISIS (**274747) from a cellphone to talk to a team of professionals who can help.
• Crisis Text Line – Text MN to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor to receive free, 24/7 crisis support via text message.

If you believe someone is at risk of suicide, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services suggests you:

• Ask questions about whether the individual is having suicidal thoughts.
• Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
• Seek help from a medical or mental health professional. If it is an emergency situation, take the person to a hospital.
• Remove any objects from a person’s home that could be potentially used in a suicide.
• Do not leave the person alone, if possible, until help is available.

The U.S. National Suicide Prevention organization has also compiled a list of resources to help with coping during the COVID-19 pandemic.