Community pays tribute to missing Arkansas girl
NEWPORT, Ark. (KAIT) - The Newport community held a balloon release to support Trinity Eslinger and her family.
The 10-year-old went missing off the coast of Destin, Florida, on Thursday, June 12, after getting caught in a rip current.
Her family and multiple search parties continue to look for her, but back home, many are thinking of her and her family. Both Dallas Neal and EJ Rucker are friends of the family.
“It’s really a nightmare, I have a little girl myself, so I just couldn’t imagine what’s going through the mom’s head, the dad’s head, and the family involved,” Rucker said.
“It’s devastating hearing about a family from Jackson County, Newport area, going through the situation and just being hopeful that the young lady is found,” Neal said.
As the search for Trinity continues, communities in northeast Arkansas rally around her and her family.
In Newport, a balloon release was held on Saturday, June 21.
“We were getting this event together as we do every year, and my sister brought to my attention that we should do the balloon release, just something in support of the family,” Neal said.
“We know a lot of other towns and cities were doing it, and then my sister brought it up about doing it out here to show our love and that we are praying for them,” Rucker said.
The community wants the family to know that they are thinking about them back home, and for them to remain strong and faithful during this time. The balloons were purple in tribute to Trinity; purple was her favorite color.
“I know the young lady, I know the dad’s family, the mom and the grandmother, and so I was just letting them know that here in Newport and Jackson County that they definitely have our support, and anything we can do, we are trying to do it,” Neal said.
“Don’t give up, keep fighting and have faith, stay prayed up, and keep praying. Just keep searching until she’s found,” Rucker said.
A balloon release was also held in Augusta, Arkansas, for Trinity.
To report a typo or correction, please click here.
Copyright 2025 KAIT. All rights reserved.
