A family and community are mourning the loss of a 4-year-old girl whose body was found in a pond following an hourslong search Sunday. Police said the body 4-year-old Emerie Schandorf-Woode was found near Turning Leaf Way and Beechtree Lane just before 8 p.m. Sunday.Search crews, neighbors and community members searched for her for about eight hours, with a particular focus on the pond where she loved to feed fish.Investigators called in drones, a helicopter, canines and search teams on the ground and in the water.Hamilton Township Police Chief Scott Hughes said dive teams found her body on the outer edge of the pond."Our worst fears came true," Hughes said. "This is not the way we had hoped things would turn out."Through tears, Emerie's family spoke for the first time Monday, thanking the community for their support. "I want to tell the community that we saw their love, we felt their love, we appreciate the support. We know northing will bring Emerie back, but it showed us we are not alone," Emerie's father said. He went on to say many don't realize it can happen to anybody in any community"I don't know when I'm going to feel better but I'm just going to try to cope with this situation and make sure I stay strong for my family," he said. Police said Emerie liked to come to a nearby pond to feed the fish. They say a witness placed her in the area of the pond which is why they focused their search there.Emerie was last seen around 1 p.m. Sunday in the neighborhood. A ring doorbell camera caught her walking down her driveway away from home. She was not wearing shoes. Hughes says she was too small to trigger further motion detection. He says the department used drones, K9s and boots on the ground in the search.Hughes thanked the community during the press conference Monday. "This community is unbelievable when we spoke this morning at their house i reassured them their family just grew by 30,000, that means 30,000 residents of Hamilton Township have not taken in a family," Hughes said. Little Miami Schools also posted that Emerie was one of their young panthers and shared condolences online.Those who wish to help the family can make a donation via GofundMe here.The community is also encouraged to display blue and purple balloons and ribbons at their homes, Emerie's favorite colors.
A family and community are mourning the loss of a 4-year-old girl whose body was found in a pond following an hourslong search Sunday.
Police said the body 4-year-old Emerie Schandorf-Woode was found near Turning Leaf Way and Beechtree Lane just before 8 p.m. Sunday.
Search crews, neighbors and community members searched for her for about eight hours, with a particular focus on the pond where she loved to feed fish.
Investigators called in drones, a helicopter, canines and search teams on the ground and in the water.
Hamilton Township Police Chief Scott Hughes said dive teams found her body on the outer edge of the pond.
"Our worst fears came true," Hughes said. "This is not the way we had hoped things would turn out."
Through tears, Emerie's family spoke for the first time Monday, thanking the community for their support.
"I want to tell the community that we saw their love, we felt their love, we appreciate the support. We know northing will bring Emerie back, but it showed us we are not alone," Emerie's father said.
He went on to say many don't realize it can happen to anybody in any community
"I don't know when I'm going to feel better but I'm just going to try to cope with this situation and make sure I stay strong for my family," he said.
Police said Emerie liked to come to a nearby pond to feed the fish. They say a witness placed her in the area of the pond which is why they focused their search there.
Emerie was last seen around 1 p.m. Sunday in the neighborhood. A ring doorbell camera caught her walking down her driveway away from home. She was not wearing shoes. Hughes says she was too small to trigger further motion detection. He says the department used drones, K9s and boots on the ground in the search.
Hughes thanked the community during the press conference Monday.
"This community is unbelievable when we spoke this morning at their house i reassured them their family just grew by 30,000, that means 30,000 residents of Hamilton Township have not taken in a family," Hughes said.
Little Miami Schools also posted that Emerie was one of their young panthers and shared condolences online.
Those who wish to help the family can make a donation via GofundMe here.
The community is also encouraged to display blue and purple balloons and ribbons at their homes, Emerie's favorite colors.
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