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Woman arrested over death of girl found in pond

Victoria ScheerYorkshire
Little Rainbows/PA Wire Nyla standing indoors in front of a decorated Christmas tree. The tree is adorned with warm white lights and a variety of festive ornaments, including red-and-white striped decorations, candy‑themed pieces, and round baubles. A sign reading “REINDEER WAY” is positioned prominently among the branches. Nyla is wearing a school uniform consisting of a blue cardigan, a white collared shirt, and a dark skirt, and is standing on a carpeted floor with hands clasped in front.Little Rainbows/PA Wire
Nyla May Bradshaw died after being found in a pond in Doncaster last month

A woman has been arrested over the death of a seven-year-old girl found dead in a pond in Doncaster.

Nyla May Bradshaw was taken to a park in the Owston area of Doncaster in the morning of 30 March and was reported missing a short time later.

She was found unresponsive and face down in a pond in the grounds of Owston Hall Hotel and was pronounced dead at Doncaster Royal Infirmary at 13:18 BST that day.

South Yorkshire Police said a woman in her 30s had been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter and child neglect. She has since been bailed pending further inquiries.

Police said initial inquiries into Nyla's death had indicated non-suspicious circumstances but "ongoing inquiries" had led officers to make the arrest.

Det Ch Insp Gary Magnay said: "The heartbreaking loss of Nyla May has had a huge emotional impact - 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."

Magnay said he urged members of the public not to speculate and to respect the privacy of all those affected.

He said: "The proceedings in this case are now active, which means nothing must be published by anyone, including members of the public, which could threaten the integrity of any future court proceedings."

BBC/Mark Ansell A landscaped grassy area with a large dark sign standing in the center. The sign displays the number “13” in large yellow lettering and includes a smaller emblem and text reading “Owston Hall” beneath a drawing of a building. The sign is positioned upright on the grass. In front of and around the base of the sign, there is a large collection of floral tributes laid directly on the grass. The flowers are arranged in bouquets and clusters, featuring a wide range of colors including pink, yellow, white, blue, and purple. Some of the bouquets are wrapped in pastel-colored paper or clear plastic. The background consists of an open green field leading to a line of leafless or early-spring trees and shrubs, suggesting the photo was taken outdoors in a rural or park-like setting.BBC/Mark Ansell
Floral tributes and plush toys have been left at the scene at Owston Hall

An inquest opened at Doncaster Coroner's Court earlier this month heard Nyla, who was non-verbal and autistic, had been in the care of a childminder when she passed through a hole in a fence and headed towards nearby woodland.

South Yorkshire Police said extensive searches took place to locate Nyla, which included the use of drones and a police aircraft.

Paying tribute to Nyla previously, family friend Charlotte Cooper told the BBC Nyla, from Skellow, had been "full of light and amazing energy".

"Nyla was the sweetest girl I ever got the privilege to hold and take care of," she said.

"I knew her her whole life, watched her brothers grow up too, who absolutely adored their baby sister.

"She was just magical, never sad, always in Nyla's world."

A fundraiser in Nyla's memory has to date raised more than £20,000.

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