STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. — A three-year-old girl who had been reported missing out of Stafford County, Virginia, died after being found in a body of water near her home.
Thursday afternoon, deputies responded to the Rappahannock Landing subdivision for a report of a child who hadn't been seen an hour before the call.
Search crews began searching the neighborhood for the child and flew a drone overhead. Fire crews also searched the Rappahannock River.
Around 7:10 p.m., officials located the child in a small body of water about a half-mile from her home. She was taken to Mary Washington Hospital where she died.
"While we are still in the initial stages of our investigation this appears to be a tragic accident," the sheriff's office said in a statement. "There are no words to describe our grief at this devastating outcome. Our hearts and prayers go out to the victim’s family during this difficult time."
