The body of a child found 32 river-miles away from Upper Makefield Township in Philadelphia Friday evening was confirmed to be that of missing Matilda “Mattie” Sheils, 2, authorities said Saturday.
The Upper Makefield Township Police Department said searchers are “still reeling at the tragic loss of life,” but they noted it has only increased their resolve to find Mattie’s brother, Conrad Sheils, 9 months.
Credit: Sheils family
After extensive planning Friday night, searchers in boats, on the land, and in the air resumed the search on Saturday morning in an effort to find Conrad.
Upper Makefield Township Volunteer Fire Company Chief Tim Brewer said crews were taking to the Delaware River, from Bucks County to Philadelphia, as part of the search.
Katheryn “Katie” Seley, 32, along with her fiancée, mother, and three children, including Mattie and Conrad, had come from their home in Charleston, South Carolina to visit friends and family in Bucks County for a weekend party. As they were driving on Washington Crossing Road (Route 532), their vehicle got trapped in the sudden flash flood.
Jim Sheils, Seley’s husband to be and a native of Bucks County, rescued their 4-year-old son, Jack, from the vehicle.
Seley and her mother, Dahlia, attempted to save Conrad and Mattie from the flooding, but they were swept away. Dahlia was rescued, while Seley and Mattie and Conrad were swept away.
On Saturday morning, the Sheils family released a statement:
“The Sheils family would like to express their continued gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring of love, support, and concern from the community and from people around the country as rescue workers have worked tirelessly to find Mattie and Conrad. We are grateful that our little Mattie has been brought home to us. We are still praying for the return of Conrad. Thank you all, again, for your compassion and your kindness. We are humbled.”
Mattie’s remains were located just past 5 p.m. Friday in Philadelphia. Callers reported a body in the river, which was determined to be south of the Betsy Ross Bridge in the Port Richman section of the city, authorities said.
Brewer told reporters Friday night that the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office took custody of the remains.
