LOWELL — A massive search for a missing 7-year-old girl continued after nightfall on Sunday.

The missing girl, Anna, is described as a Black female, 4-foot-7 in height, and weighing approximately 70 pounds. She was last seen wearing black shorts, a white vest, and a purple hair tie.

Anna is on the autism spectrum and is described as nonverbal.

Lowell Police said she was last seen in the area of East Merrimack Street, in the Belvidere neighborhood, between 2 and 3 p.m. Sunday.

Beatrice Nkuna, a friend of the missing girl’s family, spoke to members of the press near the intersection of Geana Lane and East Merrimack Street, as dozens of law enforcement agencies and members of the community scoured the area.

“They are just there waiting on a miracle,” Nkuna said about the girl’s family. “We are all asking God to make a miracle happen. We have seen this so many times in this area. We hope this ends up well.”

Nkuna was refencing Harry Kkonde, a 3-year-old boy who went missing in the Pawtucketville neighborhood just over a year ago. The little boy was found deceased in a pond near his babysitter’s house the day after his disappearance.

Before the sun started to set on Sunday, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Lowell Police Superintendent Greg Hudon encouraged members of the Belvidere community to get outside and search for Anna around their homes.

“Please try to help us bring her home this evening,” Ryan said.

The Lowell Police deployed multiple officers, the K-9 Unit, and the Drone Unit. They were assisted by the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council K-9 Unit, the Massachusetts State Police Airwing, the Massachusetts State Police K-9 Unit, and the Lowell Fire Department.

Multiple fire department boats and the Lowell Dive Team entered the Merrimack River to conduct a water search for the missing girl, while others searched backyards in the hopes she may be hiding somewhere.

Residents were advised to expect a large police presence in the area during the search. Numerous emergency vehicles are present in the area of East Merrimack Street, Glenn Road, Geana Lane and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Anyone with information regarding Anna’s whereabouts is asked to call 911 or 978-937-3200.

Follow Aaron Curtis on Twitter @aselahcurtis