The Upper Makefield Township Police Department in Pennsylvania confirmed the recovery of a two-year-old girl’s body from the Delaware River on Friday. The toddler, Matilda “Mattie” Sheils, had been missing since a flash flood swept her away in Bucks County a few days prior. She was identified based on her physical appearance and the clothes she was last seen wearing. An official autopsy is scheduled for Saturday to confirm the identification.
The tragic incident occurred on July 16 when Mattie and her nine-month-old brother, Conrad Sheils, were swept away in a flash flood along with their mother. The severe weather conditions on Wednesday had hindered the search efforts for the children. The police are still on the lookout for Conrad, and diving teams are expected to resume the search on Saturday.
The children’s mother, Katie Seley, 32, also lost her life in the flash flood. She had attempted to save her children by escaping their vehicle but was unfortunately swept away by the floodwaters. The Bucks County flooding claimed the lives of four other individuals. The Bucks County Coroner’s Office identified the victims as Enzo Depiero, 78, and Linda Depiero, 74, from Newtown Township, Pennsylvania; Susan Barnhardt, 53, from Titusville, New Jersey; and Yuko Love, 64, also from Newtown Township. The coroner’s office confirmed that all victims drowned.