When Nyla May Bradshaw was sent to the babysitter her mother found through a local Facebook group, no one imagined what would happen next. When the alarm was raised, police drones and search teams scoured the area around the golf course. But one detail investigators are now focusing on — a surveillance camera on the path leading straight to the pond — may reveal the little girl’s final whereabouts… 👇

On Monday, March 30, 2026, in the village of Skellow near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, a routine arrangement for school holidays turned into an unimaginable tragedy. Seven-year-old Nyla May Bradshaw, a non-verbal autistic girl who required constant supervision, was dropped off with a new childminder shortly after 7:45 a.m. Less than three hours later, at around 9:50 a.m., she was reported missing. By the afternoon, her body was recovered from a pond on Owston Hall Golf Course.

The heartbreaking case has sparked widespread grief, questions about childcare safety, and renewed awareness of the challenges faced by families of children with autism who are “flight risks.”

A Desperate Search for Holiday Care

Nyla’s mother, Hayley Beardsley, had been seeking childcare options for the Easter school break. Nyla attended a special school and usually had established routines, but with her regular childminder unavailable, Hayley turned to a local Facebook group for recommendations. A woman claiming to be an autism specialist with extensive qualifications was suggested and described as “very highly recommended.”

Family friend Charlotte Emma later shared that the babysitter had been explicitly warned about Nyla’s tendency to wander and the need for close, constant monitoring. Safety measures, such as reins, were reportedly discussed. Hayley dropped Nyla off that morning, trusting the new arrangement for what should have been just a few hours of care.

people.com

Missing 7-Year-Old Girl with Autism Found Dead in Golf Course Pond

Nyla May Bradshaw, remembered as a happy, smiling seven-year-old who brought joy to her family despite her complex needs.

Tragically, by mid-morning, the childminder raised the alarm. Nyla had disappeared.

The Search: Drones, Aircraft, and a Race Against Time

South Yorkshire Police responded swiftly. Officers, along with additional resources including police drones and a helicopter (police aircraft), were deployed to search the Skellow area and surrounding green spaces. The search focused on nearby open land and pathways, eventually leading to Owston Hall Golf Course, located a short distance away.

The golf course, with its ponds, fairways, and natural water features, became the tragic endpoint. Nyla was located in one of the ponds. Emergency services attempted resuscitation, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. No suspicious circumstances have been reported, and the death is being treated as a tragic accident, though a full investigation continues.

bbc.com

Fundraiser in memory of girl found in Doncaster pond hits £14,000

Another cherished photo of Nyla, capturing her bright personality and infectious smile that family and friends say lit up every room.

The Surveillance Camera: A Potential Key Piece

Investigators are closely examining footage from a surveillance camera positioned on a path that leads toward the pond area. The camera could provide critical insight into Nyla’s final movements — whether she wandered alone, how quickly she moved away from the childminder’s supervision, and the exact route she took. In cases involving autistic children who elope (a term used for wandering or bolting), every second counts, and visual evidence often helps piece together the sequence of events.

A family friend noted that a photo from that day reportedly showed the babysitter without the safety reins she had agreed to use, raising painful questions about whether all promised safeguards were in place during those critical early hours.

Who Was Nyla May Bradshaw?

Nyla was described by those who knew her as a “sweet,” “beautiful,” and “magical” little girl who was “always happy.” Despite being non-verbal and having autism that required one-to-one support, she was deeply loved and brought immense joy to her family. Her mother Hayley and father Kieran called her their “whole world.” Tributes highlighted her infectious smile and the special bond she shared with her parents.

In a heartfelt Facebook post, Hayley wrote: “It breaks my heart to write this, but today we lost our beautiful daughter Nyla May Bradshaw at just seven years old.”

Family friend Charlotte Cooper told media: “Nyla was always happy… A perfectly healthy child running around… and now she’s gone.” Another friend emphasized how Nyla’s presence was “just magical.”

A GoFundMe page was set up to support the family with funeral costs and other expenses. It quickly raised thousands of pounds as the local community and people across the UK came together in support.

The Risks for Autistic Children Who Elopе

This tragedy has highlighted the heightened risks for children with autism who have a tendency to wander. Experts note that elopement can happen quickly and without warning, especially in unfamiliar environments or when supervision momentarily lapses. Water sources pose a particular danger, as drowning is a leading cause of death for autistic children who go missing.

The case also raises broader questions about informal childcare arrangements made through social media. While many recommendations are genuine, the ease of online suggestions can sometimes bypass formal checks. The childminder in this case was reportedly Ofsted-registered, but the speed of the arrangement during school holidays left little room for extended familiarization.

Advocates are using the moment to urge families and carers to prioritize robust safety plans, including tracking devices, clear communication about elopement risks, and never assuming a new environment is fully secure without thorough preparation.

Community Grief and Calls for Awareness

In Skellow and across Doncaster, flowers and tributes have appeared near the golf course and in the village. The tight-knit community has rallied around Nyla’s family, sharing memories and expressing shock at how quickly a normal day turned devastating.

Police have cordoned off areas of the golf course as part of their inquiries, but have stressed there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.

Nyla’s family has asked for privacy as they grieve while thanking everyone for the outpouring of love and support.

autismspectrumnews.org

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Families of autistic children often share close, loving bonds built on patience, understanding, and constant vigilance — a reality that makes Nyla’s loss even more profoundly felt.

A Painful Reminder

In just three hours, a little girl who was “always happy” was lost. The surveillance footage on the path to the pond may one day provide answers or closure, but for Nyla’s parents, nothing can bring back their daughter.

Her story serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the vulnerabilities many autistic children face, the importance of tailored supervision, and the need for caution when arranging care — even when recommendations seem strong.

As the investigation continues and the camera footage is reviewed, Nyla May Bradshaw will be remembered not for the tragic way her short life ended, but as the smiling, joyful child who was deeply loved and whose absence has left an enormous hole in her family’s world.

Our thoughts remain with Hayley, Kieran, and all who loved Nyla. May she rest in peace.