At around 9:30 a.m. Monday, CCSO Marine Patrol was able to access the shoreline and get seven-year-old Shelby Wolff safely on the boat
A 7-year-old child who was missing overnight Sunday was located safe Monday (Aug. 12) morning.
On Sunday at about 8:30 p.m., Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies were dispatched to a report of a missing child at Lake Merwin Campers Hideaway. Shelby Wolff, age 7, was staying with her grandparents at Lake Merwin Campers Hideaway. She was last seen between 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. sitting by herself, at a site directly across from her campsite.
Deputies and area residents conducted a basic search for Shelby. She was not located and Clark County Search and Rescue (SAR) was paged out. SAR volunteers searched throughout the night. More SAR resources arrived this morning and the search continued.
CCSO Marine Patrol and Major Crimes Unit also arrived on-scene to assist. Access to Lake Merwin Campers Hideaway was closed while the search was ongoing.
At about 8:45 a.m. Monday morning, a local fisherman heard a child crying for help from a steep section of shoreline and called 9-1-1. At around 9:30 a.m., CCSO Marine Patrol was able to access the shoreline and get Shelby safely on the boat. She was transported back to the boat dock to be reunited with her family.
The CCSO would like to thank all the volunteers and community members that helped search for Shelby.
Information provided by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
Also read:
- Opinion: A year in review of news stories from a former sports guy
Clark County Today reporter Paul Valencia reflects on his evolving role, revisiting major news, community debates, sports moments, and human-interest stories that shaped Clark County in 2025. - Names released of person killed and Vancouver officers involved in deadly force incident
State investigators have released the names of the Vancouver police officers involved in a deadly force incident, and the Clark County Medical Examiner has identified the man who was killed as 44-year-old Perry J. Sellars of Vancouver. - These new laws and taxes take effect in Washington state on Jan. 1
Several new laws and tax increases passed in 2025 take effect Jan. 1 in Washington, impacting unemployment benefits, business taxes, transportation fees, consumer costs and regulatory requirements. - Opinion: Ready for another pay decrease from the state? It happens Jan. 1
Elizabeth New (Hovde) argues that Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll tax increase will further reduce workers’ take-home pay beginning Jan. 1. - Vancouver rolls out new all-access community center membership
The city of Vancouver is launching a new all-access membership in January that allows residents to use both Firstenburg and Marshall community centers. - Four Western WA counties granted $6.6M in federal funds for road safety programs
Four Western Washington counties will receive $6.6 million in federal funding for road safety projects, including an EMS pilot program in Clark County. - Opinion: Justice for none – Court hands down a mandate without a dime to fund it
Nancy Churchill argues that a Washington Supreme Court ruling on public defense imposes costly mandates on local governments without providing funding to implement them.
