Divers, drones and dogs have been called in for major surgery to find the missing four-year-old girl who disappeared on Wednesday afternoon.
The four-year-old Tasmanian girl, who was declared missing on Wednesday afternoon, was described by police as a “very healthy, happy young child” as authorities entered the second day of her search.
Despite a significant overnight operation, the Tasmanian police are still finding Shayla Phillips.
The girl was last seen at 2.30pm on Wednesday in Stormlea – a largely rural area on the Tasman Peninsula near Port Arthur.
Authorities say Shayla played with two dogs in a yard on Stormlea Road before she disappeared. Police believe she was wearing the latest ink leggings, a cream top, and rubber boots.
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Speaking to the media on Thursday morning, Inspector Gavin Hallett said the child’s mother called police after she noticed her daughter was missing on Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m.
“She has played outside with some dogs from the neighboring residence, which is not uncommon, Shayla knows the dogs well and loves them very much,” said Insp Hallet.
“She did the search of the house in her own possession, but she could not find Shayla.
“She then contacted the Tasmanian police and reported the matter. While waiting for the police to participate, she conducted a search of neighboring areas with a friend, but again, Shayla was not located.
One of the dogs believed to be with Shayla at the time of her disappearance has been located, but the status of the other dog remains unknown.
“A significant search continued overnight with personnel from Tasmania Police, Tasmania SES, Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Police Drone Unit and Specialist Dogs,” a statement from Tasmania Police read.
‘Hopefully we’ll find Shayla today’
Marking the second day of the large-scale search operation, police said “close to 100 emergency services personnel” were involved in the search.
Insp Hallet also said that if the search crews were “positive and hopeful”, they would save Shayla today and not believe that other people were involved in her disappearance.
“I was talking to Mother Bianca. She is very stoic. “She is a strong woman, she is very positive and hopefully we will find Shayla today,” he said.
Special dogs and a police drone unit were also called in, while diving teams cleared the four dams of the property overnight.
Even though the 11C overnight temperatures were cooler than normal, Insp Hallet said the canopy of cloud cover kept her warm. Today, the forecast for Stormlea shows a high of 15.3C and a low of 10.4C, according to WeatherZone.
“We have experienced cooler conditions than we have in recent times. However, by Tasmanian standards, I think we had about 11C last night,” he said.
“We had a cloud cover canopy and it is the case that while Shayla is still in a difficult forest area, she still has the advantage of the canopy to keep her warm as well.”
Due to the rugged, hilly terrain and dense bushland, the police asked the people to avoid the area.
“Due to the isolation of the area, and to ensure a coordinated and safe search, the police advise that sufficient resources are currently deployed in the area and no further assistance is sought at this time,” a statement from Tasmania said. Police.
‘Everyone feels it:’ Community shocked
Talk to The MercuryTasman Council Mayor Kelly Spaulding said the news of the missing four-year-old shocked the entire community.
On Wednesday evening, members of the Tasman Peninsula’s Country Women’s Association helped the search crews and provided them with scones and cups of tea.
Mr Spaulding said he was at a council meeting when he became aware of Shayla’s disappearance and went straight home to see if the girl had asked about his nearby property, which is also located on Stormlea Rd.
“It’s just awful for anyone in this situation. Everyone feels it when a child goes missing,” he said.
“That’s why I left what I was doing and went home.
“Our property is not far from the search area, so I just went home and checked our place and listened for a sign from the girl.”
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