Police search of Maumee River for tot finds nothing

Tests to examine hair for possible DNA

A diver from the Toledo Fire Department finishes a search on the Maumee River.

Another search of the Mau-mee River for missing 18-month-old Elaina Steinfurth, who was last reported seen at an East Toledo home June 2, came up empty Wednesday.

The Toledo Fire and Rescue Department’s dive team and U.S. Coast Guard were searching after test results from the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation came back saying that hair snagged by a fisherman’s line over the weekend was human, Toledo police Sgt. Joe Heffernan said. If DNA can be extracted, forensic specialists might be able to make a match.

PHOTO GALLERY: Divers search Maumee River for missing girl

Family members wanted the river searched amid speculation that the hair could be that of the missing toddler.

“We’ve already checked, been up and down that river, numerous times,” Sergeant Heffernan said. “But that doesn’t mean we didn’t miss [something].”

An officer at the scene said she did not think authorities plan to search the area again today.

Elaina’s mother, Angela Steinfurth, remains in Lucas County jail in lieu of $100,000 bond on a charge of obstructing official business in the investigation into Elaina’s disappearance.