Police have urged the public not to speculate about the death of a seven-year-old girl found in a pond at Owston Hall Golf Course in Doncaster, as proceedings are now active. Nyla May Bradshaw, described by her mother as a 'one-of-a-kind' and 'too precious for earth', was pronounced dead on March 30 after being located in the water.
South Yorkshire Police have arrested a woman in her 30s on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter and child neglect. The woman has been bailed pending further enquiries. Initially, the incident was treated as non-suspicious, but ongoing investigations led to the arrest.
Nyla, who was non-verbal and had no danger awareness, had been dropped off with a new childminder that morning by her mother. She was reported missing from the Skellow area at 9.50am, prompting an extensive search involving drones and police aircraft. She was found face down in the pond three hours later and could not be revived.
Detective Chief Inspector Gary Magnay said: 'The heartbreaking loss of Nyla May has had a huge emotional impact – not just on her family, friends and loved ones, but on the wider community.' He urged the public to refrain from speculation on social media to protect the integrity of future court proceedings.
In a Facebook tribute, Nyla's mother Hayley Beardsley wrote: 'Our little ginge... you was feral and wild but no one would of ever changed you... you’ve left an imprint on everyone’s heart.' She noted that Nyla had her new school photo taken just ten days before her death.
