A seven-year-old girl was found dead in a pond at a Doncaster golf course on Monday after being reported missing from her home village that morning, close friends say. The child’s mother had reportedly asked a local Facebook group for childminder recommendations days earlier, and contacts from that social search have become a focus of community concern.
What we know so far
Police were alerted when the girl was reported missing from Skellow at about 9.50am on Monday. Her body was later recovered from a pond at Owston Hall golf course, authorities and local reports say. Friends and family identified the child as Nyla May Bradshaw.
Those close to the family told local media that Nyla’s mother had posted in a neighbourhood Facebook group seeking a childminder during the school holidays. According to those sources, a person advertised as having experience with children with additional needs was recommended, and within hours the mother received a message that Nyla was missing.
Family and community reaction
Tributes have come from family members and friends who described the loss as devastating. Nyla’s father wrote on social media about the emptiness his family now faces and recalled the small routines they shared.
Friends said Hailey Bradshaw, Nyla’s mother, rarely left her daughter with others because Nyla attended a specialist school, and that the sudden need for childcare during the holidays had prompted the online request for help. Several acquaintances expressed guilt and shock in the wake of the discovery.
The family has launched a fundraiser to help cover funeral costs; the GoFundMe page says organisers are trying to support the parents as they cope with “unimaginable pain” and unresolved questions.
Why this matters now
The case has reopened public discussion about hiring carers through social platforms and the additional protections required for families of children with special needs. It also underscores the emotional and practical pressures families can face during school holiday periods.
Local outlets reporting the story include YorkshireLive and The Metro; the details above are drawn from those reports and the family’s public posts. Authorities have not released a full statement about the circumstances pending any ongoing inquiries.
- Victim: Nyla May Bradshaw, aged seven
- Location found: Pond at Owston Hall golf course, near Doncaster
- Reported missing: Skellow, about 9.50am on Monday
- Context: Mother sought childminder recommendations on a local Facebook group days beforehand
- Family support: GoFundMe set up to assist with funeral expenses
As the family and community mourn, local authorities and reporters are expected to provide further updates. For now, neighbours and friends continue to share condolences and raise practical questions about safeguarding when carers are found via social media.
Hi, I’m Benjamin, a member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a passion for writing and a deep interest in current affairs, I thoroughly enjoy bringing you the latest news and trends that affect our daily lives.
