In a devastating revelation that has left a community in mourning and sparked urgent questions about child safety, police have released chilling CCTV footage showing 7-year-old Nyla May Bradshaw, a non-verbal autistic girl, squeezing through a gap in a park fence just two hours before she was found unresponsive in a pond at Owston Hall Golf Course in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

The footage, made public during the opening of the inquest at Doncaster Coroner’s Court, captures the final known movements of the bright and energetic little girl on the morning of March 30, 2026. Nyla, described by her family as an “escape artist” with zero sense of danger, had been dropped off with a new childminder for the first time that day. Less than three hours later, she was reported missing. A large-scale search involving police, a helicopter, and local volunteers ended in tragedy when her body was recovered from the pond on the golf course grounds.

The released video shows Nyla wandering away from the childminder in the Owston park area. She approaches a section of fencing, spots a narrow gap, and slips through it with surprising ease for a child her size. She then heads toward a patch of woodland adjacent to the golf course. The childminder is seen looking around frantically moments later, realizing the little girl is no longer in sight. The gap in the fence — described in court as “small but sufficient for a determined child” — had apparently gone unnoticed or unaddressed despite previous warnings about Nyla’s tendency to run off.

Nyla’s family had long been aware of her “flight risk” behavior. Her mother, Hayley, had previously installed electronic locks on their home and relied on a six-foot fence in the garden after repeated escape attempts. The family had also warned the new childminder about Nyla’s need for constant supervision and had even provided safety reins, which were reportedly not used on the day of the incident. The childminder had been recommended through a local Facebook group and was described as highly experienced, but the tragic events unfolded with devastating speed.

The inquest heard that Nyla was non-verbal and autistic, requiring one-to-one attention at all times. She loved running and exploring, often treating fences and boundaries as challenges rather than barriers. Her family described her as a “happy, loving little girl” who brought light to everyone she met, but her lack of danger awareness made everyday outings a constant source of worry.

South Yorkshire Police launched an immediate search after the childminder raised the alarm. A police helicopter was deployed, and officers, along with local volunteers, combed the park and surrounding woodland. Nyla was found in the pond on the golf course later that afternoon. Despite desperate attempts to resuscitate her, she was pronounced dead at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

The release of the CCTV footage has reignited public discussion about child safety, supervision standards for childminders, and the challenges faced by families of children with autism who have a tendency to wander. Many parents of autistic children have shared similar stories online, highlighting the constant vigilance required and the gaps in support systems that can leave families vulnerable.

The childminder has been cooperating fully with the investigation, and police have confirmed there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding Nyla’s death. However, the inquest is expected to examine whether adequate safeguards were in place and whether the gap in the fence should have been identified and secured earlier.

Nyla’s family has issued a heartfelt statement expressing their profound grief and calling for greater awareness around the needs of autistic children who wander. “Nyla was our beautiful, joyful little girl who lit up every room,” they said. “She had no sense of danger, but she had the biggest heart. We are devastated beyond words and ask for privacy as we try to come to terms with losing our precious daughter.”

The tragedy has prompted renewed calls for better training for childminders working with neurodivergent children, improved safety measures in public parks, and greater support for families dealing with wandering behaviors. Local authorities have already begun reviewing fencing and supervision protocols in the Owston area, and campaigners are pushing for national guidelines to prevent similar incidents.

For the community of Doncaster, the loss of Nyla has been deeply felt. Tributes have poured in, with flowers, teddy bears, and messages left near the park and golf course. Vigils have been held, and residents have spoken of a bright little girl whose laughter will be missed by all who knew her.

As the inquest continues, the released CCTV footage serves as a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly a moment of inattention can lead to unimaginable loss. It also underscores the importance of constant supervision for children like Nyla, who see the world with wonder but without the filters of fear or caution that most children develop naturally.

Nyla May Bradshaw may have been just seven years old, but her short life touched many. Her family’s pain is shared by a community now united in grief and determination to prevent another such tragedy. The gap in the fence that allowed her to slip away has become a symbol of the small oversights that can have devastating consequences — and a call to action for better protection for the most vulnerable among us.

In the quiet corners of Doncaster, the memory of a little girl who loved to run and explore lives on. Her story, though tragically cut short, continues to remind us all of the precious fragility of childhood and the responsibility we share to keep every child safe.