A 6-year-old girl has been found dead just four hours after she went missing from her family home in Australia.
Airlie Montgomery was last seen wearing a pink jumpsuit and no shoes at around 2 p.m. local time near The Grotto Walk in North Nowra, local news outlet ABC reported. Her parents Katie Amess and Corey Montgomery were “immediately concerned” due to her young age and medical conditions, including being non-verbal, per the Daily Mail.
“When she could not be located or contacted, officers attached to South Coast Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts,” NSW Police said on Sunday, per News.com.au.
A body “believed to be that of the missing girl” was found in bushland at about 6 p.m. after the launch of a wide-scale search, a NSW police news release stated.
“Inquiries into the incident have commenced. A report will be prepared for the information of the coroner,” according to the police news release.
It is believed that Airlie was found dead in the water of Shoalhaven River by misadventure and police are not treating her death as a potential crime, Sky News Australia reported.
Shoalhaven Mayor Patricia White described Nowra as a “town in mourning” and that Airlie’s death was an “absolute tragedy.”
“Words cannot describe how horrible this is,” she told local outlet The Daily Telegraph.
During the search for Airlie a photo of her wearing a North Nowra Public School uniform was released.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragedy and our thoughts are with the family and all those affected,” said a spokesperson for the NSW Department of Education, per News.com.au. “We are providing support to students and staff and will continue to do so for as long as it is needed.”
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According to the outlet, flowers have been left in tribute to Airlie at the entrance of the Grotto Reserve where she was found.
A fundraiser set up on behalf of the family by Temika Johnson describes the 6-year-old as a “beautiful little girl,” local outlet 7News reported.
“Airlie is going to be so dearly missed by all that knew her. Rest in peace gorgeous girl,” Johnson wrote.
PEOPLE reached out to the NSW Police for updates on the situation as well as Airlie’s school and the NSW Department of Education for comment.
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