‘A sad day in Norton’: Body of missing 6-year-old girl with autism found in a river near her home

NORTON, Mass. — The body of a six-year-old girl with autism was found in a river near her Norton home about an hour after a frantic search began Friday afternoon.

A parent called police to report the child, who was non-verbal, was missing from her home which abuts the river that feeds into nearby Barrowsville Pond.

Multiple local police departments assisted Norton, along with the fire department, State Police Air Wing and State Police K9s, among other agencies.

Within 12 minutes of entering the water in survival floatation suits, firefighters located the child’s body, Norton Deputy Fire Chief Jason Robbins said. They immediately began CPR and rushed her to an ambulance.

“We did the best we could with life saving measures,” Robbins said. “She was transported to Sturdy Hospital and pronounced deceased.”

Norton Police Chief Brian Clark explained that first responders didn’t spare a moment, given the known tendency of many children with autism to be drawn to water.

“We had every available police officer, quickly called the fire department. I think this is one of the things that you push the button as soon as you can. I mean, we wanted as many resources there as possible,” Clark said. “It’s cold out, the water’s cold, we don’t know exactly where she went. Certainly a time that I think everybody’s heart’s pumping. ‘Where can we look? What can we do?’”

An emotional Clark told reporters his department shares in the family’s unimaginable heartache.

“Today is a sad day in Norton. Certainly not the outcome we were looking for,” Clark said in a news conference Friday night. “It’s just – she’s a little girl. Everybody has children – a lot of police officers, firefighters that responded have children.”

While no criminal activity is suspected, the investigation by police and the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office continues.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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