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Authorities in Pennsylvania "firmly believe" they have located the remains of two-year-old Mattie Sheils, who tragically disappeared in last week's flash floods.

Anonymous Tip Leads to Discovery

In a heart-wrenching press conference on Friday, Upper Makefield Township Police Chief Tim Brewer shared the devastating news. Based on the physical appearance and attire of the discovered body, he stated, "we are certain that we have found the remains of 2-year-old Mattie Sheils, although further identification processes are underway."

The Philadelphia Police Department had received an anonymous 911 call at around 5 p.m. regarding a child's body in the Delaware River, close to the city's wastewater treatment plant.

Shortly after, another caller provided a physical description of a child near the same location. When first responders arrived at the scene, they tragically discovered the body of a child "entwined in debris," as Brewer revealed.

The child was declared dead by 5:30 p.m. and was transported to the Philadelphia medical Examiner's office for an official identification and autopsy, scheduled for Saturday.

A Family Devastated by Flash Floods

The young Mattie Sheils was found about 32 miles downstream from the site of the disastrous Berks County flash flooding that took place on July 15. Mattie, her mother Katie Seley, aged 32, and her nine-month-old brother Conrad, were swept away by the floodwaters. Teams are still tirelessly scouring the Delaware River for Conrad.

The catastrophe took five lives, including Mattie and Conrad’s mother, Katie Seley. The family, visiting from Charleston, South Carolina, were attending a family barbecue when the floodwaters engulfed their car. Katie's fiancé, mother, and 4-year-old son miraculously managed to escape or were rescued from the deadly waters.

The Community's Grief Over Mattie Sheils

In expressing the community's collective sorrow, Chief Brewer stated, "Our hearts are shattered tonight." Although Mattie was found far from her home, her tragic loss has brought her closer than ever to the hearts of those in her community.

Brewer assured that they would stand by the family during this difficult period, saying, "We cannot even begin to understand the extent of their grief, but we will stand by them as they navigate this heartrending tragedy."