Woman arrested over death of autistic seven-year-old found face down in pond

A woman has been arrested after an autistic seven-year-old girl died after being found face down in a golf course pond.

South Yorkshire Police said on Friday that the suspect, in her 30s, had been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter and child neglect.

The force said she has been bailed pending further inquiries.

Nyla May Bradshaw was found unresponsive and face down in a pond on Owston Golf Course, north of Doncaster, South Yorkshire, on 30 March.

Earlier this month, an inquest opening heard that she was taken to hospital but could not be resuscitated.

The court heard she was "a non-verbal seven-year-old girl who had been diagnosed with autism".

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Detective Chief Inspector Gary Magnay said that while initial inquiries had indicated the circumstances of Nyla's death were not suspicious, he added police had "furthered (their) investigation into the events leading up to the incident".

"The heartbreaking loss of Nyla May has had a huge emotional impact", he added. "Not just on her family, friends and loved ones, but on the wider community.

"Nyla May's family continues to be in the forefront of our thoughts as our work progresses, and we will continue to support them throughout this awful time."

(c) Sky News 2026: Woman arrested over death of autistic seven-year-old found face down in pond