Police: Search for teen near Black River continues, man charged

ELYRIA — Authorities are still searching for a 16-year-old boy who reportedly went into the Black River early Thursday morning and did not come out. According to a release from Elyria police, Vincent Pabon, 16, had not been found as of 6 p.m. and he had been officially entered as a missing person, after a friend reported he had fallen into the river sometime earlier Thursday. Pabon is 6'1 and weighs 150 pounds, police said. Police said Pabon was walking along a path leading to the river near the East Falls with Jacob Rosado, 24, in the early morning hours Thursday after the two apparently spent the night in the area consuming alcohol. At some point, Rosado told police, Pabon fell into the Black River. "Rosado told investigators he attempted to assist but also fell into the water. Rosado was able to make it to nearby rocks and exit the river, but stated he could no longer see or hear Pabon," the release said. Rosado reported the incident at 7:58 a.m. and the Elyria Fire Department began searching for Pabon immediately after, quickly receiving assistance from neighboring agencies. Rescue personnel were still searching the banks of the Black River and the adjacent woods as of 6 p.m. Thursday, with the help of thermal imaging drones and K-9s, Elyria police Capt. Bill Lantz said. Elyria police are investigating the circumstances surrounding Pabon's disappearance, but based on preliminary findings the department has charged Rosado with felony tampering with evidence and contributing to the unruliness of a minor, a misdemeanor. The release said that additional charges may be considered as the investigation continues. According to Lorain County Common Pleas Court records, Rosado was charged with gross sexual imposition in 2021. He pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of attempted criminal child enticement, which refers to a person enticing a child under 14 years of age to accompany them in any manner, such as into a vehicle. "Our hearts are with Vincent's family during this incredibly difficult time," said Lantz, the public information officer for Elyria police. "This is a challenging and complex search, and we remain fully committed to locating him. We are utilizing every available resource and deeply appreciate the continued support from the many first responder agencies assisting in this effort." Speaking to media from the East Falls Riverwalk on Thursday afternoon, Lantz outlined an extensive search of the river that was hampered by the steep banks of the Black River and the jagged floor of the river itself. "The falls area (itself) presents a challenge," Lantz said. "It is my understanding, after talking with Fire Chief (Joe) Pronesti, that the water depth near the base of the falls is about 20 to 25 feet. There are also a lot of ledges and crevasses that make it challenging." The banks of the Back River are also steep enough to create 25 to 30 foot drops at multiple points. Elyria fire responded to the report of Pabon's disappearance with its water rescue team and was assisted by additional water search and rescue teams from North Ridgeville, Wellington, Amherst and other agencies. Dive teams, submersibles and sonar were used to search the waters, while other rescue teams searched the banks of the Black River and woods beyond them. Rescue swimmers were pulled from the water sometime after 2 p.m., but as of 6 p.m. on Thursday rescue personnel continued to search the riverbanks. "We are going to stay out here as long as possible, making sure that we have conducted a thorough search of this area (and) the appropriate river banks using all of these resources," Lantz told reporters. "So while I don't have an exact time frame, that is our plan. It is currently a rescue operation and that will continue until it's deemed otherwise by the fire department chief (Pronesti)." Along with the search itself, police are investigating the circumstances surrounding Pabon's disappearance. Lantz told reporters Thursday afternoon that Pabon's phone pinged in the area of the river sometime between 3 and 5 a.m. on Thursday morning, and had no detected activity after that point. He also told The Chronicle that evidence found near the river corroborated parts of Rosado's story, namely that Rosado and Pabon had been drinking near the area and had eaten certain foods. Surveillance footage obtained by police also showed Rosado exiting the woods alone sometime after 5 a.m. Police asked anyone who may have seen or interacted with Vincent Pabon or Jacob Rosado during the evening of Aug. 6 into the morning of Aug. 7 to contact Detective Tyler Loesch at tloesch@cityofelyria.org or (440) 326-1205. Contact Owen MacMillan at (440) 329-7123 or omacmillan@chroniclet.com.