Nyla May Bradshaw, a seven-year-old girl, was autistic, non-verbal, and had no danger-awareness, making her a flight risk. According to Daily Mirror - Main, Nyla's parents described her as their 'whole world' and expressed grief over her loss. The child's family has been informed and is being supported by police officers, South Yorkshire Police said.
Nyla's usual childminder was unavailable over the Easter break, leading to the use of a new one, multiple reports indicate. The babysitter was an Ofsted-registered childminder recommended via Facebook, claiming to be an autism specialist, according to major media sources. Nyla went missing and was found dead just hours after being left with this new babysitter for the first time, multiple reports show.
Nyla's mother, Hayley Beardsley, had explicitly instructed the babysitter to keep Nyla indoors and not take her out.
According to Daily Mirror - Main, Charlotte Emma described that Nyla's mother, Hayley Beardsley, had explicitly instructed the babysitter to keep Nyla indoors and not take her out. However, the babysitter took Nyla out to a woodland path and park without using reins, contrary to the mother's instructions, Charlotte Emma told the outlet. This occurred on March 30, the day of the incident.
Nyla was reported missing to South Yorkshire Police at 9:50 AM on March 30 from the Skellow area of Doncaster. Police used drones, a police aircraft, and ground searches to locate Nyla in the pond, the force said. Owston Hall Golf Course spans around 80 acres and includes water features. Eyewitnesses described a large emergency response with a police helicopter, drones, paramedics, and an air ambulance.
Nyla's parents described her as their 'whole world' and expressed grief over her loss.
Nyla was pronounced dead at the scene despite emergency efforts, South Yorkshire Police confirmed. Police have not disclosed the age or gender of the child, according to Daily Mirror - Main, though media reports identify the child as Nyla May Bradshaw, a seven-year-old girl. This discrepancy indicates a difference in what information is officially released versus what is reported by media, potentially affecting public understanding of the case details.
The arrested woman has been bailed pending further enquiries, South Yorkshire Police said. Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting incident number 198 of March 30, the force added. Police have warned people not to speculate about the incident, including on social media, according to South Yorkshire Police and the activity centre.
Nyla's mother, Hayley Beardsley, paid tribute to her daughter in a social media post.
A fundraiser for Nyla's family raised over £14,500 in 24 hours, multiple reports indicate. According to www.dailymail.co.uk, Charlotte described Nyla as her best friend's daughter and a beloved little girl. Nyla's mother, Hayley Beardsley, paid tribute to her daughter in a social media post.
Key unknowns remain about what specific actions or omissions by the babysitter led to the arrest for gross negligence manslaughter, and why the babysitter took Nyla outdoors despite the mother's explicit instructions to keep her indoors. The exact timeline of events from when Nyla was left with the babysitter to when she was reported missing and found has not been disclosed.
Family friend Charlotte described Nyla as her best friend's daughter and a beloved little girl.
Further unknowns include the identity and background of the arrested woman, the babysitter, and what the results of the initial police assessment regarding suspicious circumstances were, and whether it has been updated. These gaps in information are part of the ongoing investigation.
In an unrelated case, a child's body was found in a pond at a golf course in March, Cambridgeshire, multiple reports indicate. This incident is separate from the Nyla Bradshaw case and involves different police jurisdictions and locations.