Search paused after dam operations as Dardanelle police look for missing mother and 6-week-old

DARDANELLE — Dardanelle police say 20-year-old Ashland Botnik and her 6-week-old daughter, Kaylin, were last seen at Veterans Memorial Park, triggering more than 12 hours of searching by local and neighboring agencies.

Maya Ellison, a CHV 11 reporter at the scene, said the search "wrapped up for the night" after officers were alerted about a person in crisis around 2 a.m. and located a vehicle at a boat dock that police say was confirmed by surveillance footage. Ellison reported she spoke with friends and church members who described Botnik’s recent efforts to change her life and praised her as a mother.

An unnamed friend told reporters, "It's tragic, you know, she's ... she loved us babies; it's just a tragic event," reflecting the community's concern.

Ellison said the Dardanelle police chief told her the search was paused when dam operations increased water levels overnight, and that a local Mennonite group planned to bring search equipment; law enforcement expected to resume searching in the morning.

Police have not released additional public details about the possible circumstances of the disappearance, and some reporters' references to the woman's first name vary in live remarks. The initial police notice identified her as "20-year-old Ashland Botnik." Anyone with information was directed to contact Dardanelle police; the police chief did not provide a timetable for next updates.