A woman in her 30s has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter and child neglect in connection with the death of seven-year-old Nyla May Bradshaw in Doncaster, in a significant development in the case.
South Yorkshire Police said the woman has since been released on bail as investigations continue. The arrest marks a shift in the probe, after officers had initially said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the child’s death, BBC reported.
Nyla went missing on the morning of March 30 after being taken to a park in the Owston area. A large-scale search operation was launched, involving drones and a police helicopter. She was later found unresponsive in a pond within the grounds of Owston Hall Hotel.
The child was taken to Doncaster Royal Infirmary, where she was pronounced dead later that day.
An inquest earlier this month heard that Nyla, who was autistic and non-verbal, had been in the care of a childminder at the time. Evidence suggested she may have passed through a gap in a fence before making her way towards nearby woodland and the pond.
Detective Chief Inspector Gary Magnay described the case as “heartbreaking” and urged the public to avoid speculation, noting that legal proceedings are now active.
Tributes have poured in from those who knew Nyla. A family friend described her as “full of light and energy,” adding that she brought joy to those around her.
A fundraiser in her memory has raised more than £20,000. The case has also sparked wider debate in the UK over the safety of childcare arrangements, particularly for children with special educational needs and disabilities. Campaigners are calling for stronger safeguards and improved training for carers of non-verbal children.
Police said the investigation remains ongoing and no decision has yet been made on charges.
