The body of a 5-year-old child who went missing from the village of Badsey was found in a stretch of water on Tuesday evening. Police confirmed there was no third-party involvement in the child's death.
Dozens of local residents formed search parties after a Facebook alert was posted. The post read: "A neighbour's 5-year-old daughter has gone missing from their home. Please keep an eye out for a little girl who's 5 in a pink top."
The child's body was located in a body of water hours later.
Community response
The village butcher posted on Facebook: "Today has left our whole community shocked and deeply saddened. Our hearts go out to a local family facing an unimaginable loss, along with everyone who knows and loves them. There are simply no words that can ease a heartbreak like this, but we hope they know the entire village is thinking of them." They added that they would not post further content for the rest of the week as a mark of respect.
Another local wrote: "Police advised to respect the family at this time, speculation to stop. Search has ended. Praying for our neighbours, this community came together."
Police and ambulance statements
A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: "Officers were called to a report of a missing child in Badsey yesterday evening. Sadly, the child was found unresponsive in a body of water, and a short time later was pronounced dead. There is no third-party involvement in the child's death, and a report will be prepared for the coroner. This is an incredibly tragic incident."
The police spokesperson added: "We ask the public to avoid speculation online as this is incredibly distressing to the family and we ask that their privacy is respected at such a difficult time."
West Midlands Ambulance Service said they were called at 6.50pm, sending an ambulance, two paramedic officers, and the Midlands Air Ambulance Critical Care Car. A spokesperson said: "On arrival we discovered one patient, a young child. Ambulance staff and police worked quickly to treat the patient, but sadly, it became apparent nothing could be done to save them and they were confirmed dead at the scene."
