A missing 7-year-old girl with autism has been found dead in a golf course pond, according to reports.
Nyla Bradshaw of Doncaster, U.K., disappeared on Monday, March 30, according to ITV News, the BBC and the Manchester Evening News. She was reported missing from Skellow at 9:50 a.m. local time that same day, Yorkshire Live reported.
Police searched for her with drones and an aircraft and located her body at the Owston Hall golf course pond that same day, according to ITV News and the BBC.
What led the girl to the pond wasn’t clear, but according to the National Autism Association, “nearly half of children with autism are at risk for wandering away from a safe setting.”
“Sadly, despite the best efforts of emergency services colleagues, they were pronounced deceased,” the South Yorkshire Police Department said in a statement, according to ITV News.
“The child’s family has been informed and is being supported by our officers,” police said. “The thoughts of everybody at SYP are with them at this devastating time.”
Little Rainbows Doncaster Children’s Autism Charity, a local charity, said that Nyla, who was also non-verbal, was “a beautiful, deeply loved 7-year-old girl who brought so much light to those around her.”
“Her presence spoke volumes — she touched more lives than words could ever express,” the foundation added. “For many of us as parents of autistic children, this is the fear we carry every single day — and today, that fear has become a reality for one of our own.”
The Little Rainbows charity shared a GoFundMe to help raise money for Nyla’s funeral arrangements.
“Nyla sadly drowned in a pond in Doncaster while she was not in the care of her parents,” said the GoFundMe organizer, who did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. “Her family are now facing the unimaginable pain of losing their beautiful daughter, alongside many unanswered questions and the overwhelming responsibility of arranging her funeral.”
The charity also set up a raffle where community members can donate various goods, products and services.