In a heartbreaking discovery, authorities have confirmed that the body of a 9-year-old girl who went missing from Opa-locka was found in a nearby canal on Monday. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office shared the devastating update during a press conference, leaving the community in shock and mourning.
The young girl was reported missing on Sunday evening, prompting an urgent search by police, rescue teams, and volunteers. Family members said she was last seen playing near her home before suddenly disappearing.
Rescue divers and search crews spent hours combing the area before finally making the discovery in a canal located just a few blocks away from where she vanished. Her body was pulled from the water early Monday morning.
“This is the kind of news no one ever wants to deliver,” said Miami-Dade Sheriff in an emotional statement. “Our hearts are with her family, and we will do everything we can to find out what happened.”
At this time, it is still unclear how the child ended up in the water. Authorities say they are treating the case as suspicious and are conducting a full investigation, including reviewing surveillance footage, speaking to neighbors, and awaiting the medical examiner’s report.
The girl’s identity has not yet been released out of respect for the family, who are said to be “devastated and asking for privacy.”
The community of Opa-locka is shaken. Neighbors have started placing candles, stuffed animals, and handwritten notes near the canal in a growing memorial to honor the child. Local residents say they are heartbroken and scared, demanding answers and greater safety for children in the area.
“We need justice. We need the truth,” one neighbor told reporters.
The sheriff urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward. “Even the smallest detail can help. We owe it to this little girl and her family,” he said.
As investigators continue to work around the clock, the community is left grieving a life taken too soon — and hoping this tragedy leads to greater protection for all children.