The Kern County Sheriff's Office updates the status of Kern River recovery operations

KERN COUNTY, Calif. — The Kern County Sheriff's Office released an update on the status of search and recovery operations that have taken place in the Kern River area this so far this summer.

So far, the KCSO has conducted search operations for five people who went missing in the Kern River since June of this year. The bodies of four of the five people have been recovered.

"An 11-year-old girl from Bakersfield who fell into the river in the Keysville area on June 22 remains missing, and the search for her continues."

Those that have been recovered include:

• Cousins Ivan Esquivel, 16, and Hugo Esquivel, 19, both of San Bernardino went missing on June 16th. Ivan's body was found on June 25th. Hugo's body was recovered on July 3rd.
• Allan Aurelio Ramirez, 22, of Placentia went missing in the Keysville North area on July 4th. His body was recovered on July 11th.
• Jesus Alberto Perez Bautista, 20, also went missing on July 4th near Lake Ming. His body was recovered on July 10th.

Kern County Search and Rescue rescuers advise the safest way to enjoy the river, if you want to go in or on it, is with a local guide or guide company.