21-year-old dad missing after canoe capsizes on outing with friends. ‘Can’t give up’

Ohio officials are taking part in a dayslong search effort for a man who went missing after a boating accident.

A motorized canoe capsized in the Maumee River on April 30, sending three people into the water, a spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources told McClatchy News.

Two boaters safely made it to shore, while the third remains missing, the spokesperson said.

The missing person was identified as Jesse Babiuch, a 21-year-old father of two daughters, who had been boating with friends near downtown Toledo, according to WTOL. His children are 2 years old and 6 months old.

State and local officials, including the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department, were still “actively searching” for Babiuch as of May 3, three days after he disappeared, the spokesperson said.

Friends and family members have also organized their own search efforts, scouring the river banks for signs of him, according to posts on social media.

“If anyone wants to come help and search,” one friend wrote on Facebook, adding “We can’t give up.”

Family members have been meeting at a park near the river before beginning their daily search and plan to meet there every day until Babiuch is located, according to WTOL.

“Jesse Babiuch is too young, too sweet, and has a baby that needs her daddy,” a friend wrote on Facebook. “If you have time please help find him, even just 3 seconds to share this post and get the word out there. He’s out there somewhere and needs to be found.”

Babiuch, a Toledo resident, is a fisherman and auto mechanic, according to WTVG.

The official search for him transitioned into a recovery mission on May 1, according to the Toledo Blade.

This is honestly crazy that all of this is happening,” a friend wrote on Facebook, adding “I’ve enjoyed all the days going fishing with you. (...) I’ve been crying all day...”

This story was originally published May 3, 2023 at 5:19 PM.