PIMA, Ariz. (KGUN) — A 4-year-old girl was found dead Monday morning after getting swept away in floodwaters last week in Pima, Arizona.
Police said the child, whose name is Maci, "did not survive the incident."
"Without this support, we would not have been able to locate Maci in this short amount of time," said the Pima Police Department. "Our condolences go to the family."
The girl first went missing Thursday. At around 9:22 p.m. that night, Pima Police say a woman called 911 saying she and her children were stuck on top of their blue suburban and were moving down the Cottonwood Wash.
When rescuers arrived, they were able to rescue some of the family, but the 4-year-old girl went missing.
That's when the community stepped in to search for Maci.
“I have two daughters and I really felt like we had to let the family know that we care for her," said Dena Hosay, community searcher, as she added to the growing memorial for the girl.
Hosay was one of a thousand that joined the search as soon as she heard about the missing girl.
“I have two daughters and I really felt like we had to let the family know that we care for her,” she said. “It was pouring—raining—but we still sat out there all day not minding the rain, but we were praying for her and the family.”
It was the community’s support that led to Maci being recovered on day three of the search.
A feat that police chief Diane Cauthen said gave the family closure.
“We are so fortunate because searches like this — you’ve gotta wait until the water goes down —then you've got to get the people back up in there. Three days— it’s kinda unheard of,” said Chief Cauthen.
She added the water in washes can rise unexpectedly because of the nearby mountains.
“It can take about 12 hours to come down from the mountain and stuff and then hit us,” she said.
Many in eastern Arizona are relieved one of its youngest was found and is praying for her family.
“I started thanking God that they did find her,” said Hosay.
Chief Cauthen asked that the family’s privacy be respected while they grieve the loss of little Maci.
