ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Former Maryland Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend says authorities have shifted from a “rescue” search to a “recovery” search as they look for her daughter and a grandson.
Maeve Kennedy Townsend McKean and McKean’s 8-year-old son went missing while canoeing in the Chesapeake Bay.
Kennedy Townsend served two terms as Maryland’s lieutenant governor. She is the eldest daughter of the late U.S. Attorney General and U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy.
The search started Thursday afternoon after the authorities responded to a report of two people on a canoe who appeared to be overtaken by strong winds.
Friday night, the U.S. Coast Guard announced they had suspended the search.
Coast Guard personnel searched a combined total of 3658 square miles over air, sea, and land over a period of 26 hours.
"This was a difficult case, and even more difficult to make the decision to suspend the search," said Cmdr. Matthew Fine, deputy sector commander and active search suspension authority at Sector Maryland-National Capitol Region command center. "Our crews and partners did everything they could to find them. We've kept the family informed at every step during the search, and our thoughts are with them tonight."
