Body of child swept away in Bucks Co. flooding recovered in Philly; search continues for lost infant

UPPER MAKEFIELD TWP., Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Upper Makefield Township officials confirmed on Saturday that the body of 2-year-old Matilda "Mattie" Sheils was found along the Delaware River in Philadelphia.

Matilda, along with her 9-month-old brother Conrad Sheils, was reported missing last week after flash flooding in Bucks County swept away members of their Charleston, South Carolina family.

Katie Seley, Matilda's mother, was among those who died in the fatal flooding.

The father, Jim Sheils, a 4-year-old sibling, and the grandmother survived.

Philadelphia police recovered Matilda's body on Friday just after 5 p.m.

She was found along the Delaware River in the city's Port Richmond neighborhood after an anonymous caller tipped off police.

Her body was located approximately 32 miles away from where she was first reported missing, officials stated in a press conference Friday night.

The death toll after Bucks County's historic flooding has now risen to six people.

The others who died were Enzo De Piero, 78, and Linda De Piero, 74, of Newtown; Yuko Love, 64, of Newtown; and Susan Barnhart, 53, of Titusville, New Jersey, Bucks County Coroner Meredith Buck said.

SEARCH CONTINUES FOR CONRAD

Philadelphia and Upper Makefield Township police are continuing the week-long search for Conrad Sheils on Saturday, as the young boy is still missing.

Officials say the effort has been exhaustive and exhausting, with crews searching the Delaware River running from Bucks County to Philadelphia.

Search teams were on the river Saturday morning with Philadelphia marine units, K-9 units, and divers.

They all searched for the missing boy both in the Delaware River and the creek areas of Upper Makefield Township.

"We will work tirelessly to make sure Conrad is found and we cannot thank the public enough for the outpouring of support, love, and concern they have shown the families and for all of us during this tragic event," said Upper Makefield Fire Chief Tim Brewer on Friday.

The Sheils family is hoping for closure in the coming days when it comes to Conrad.

Upper Makefield officials released the following statement from the Sheils family on Saturday:

"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."

COMMUNITY IN MOURNING

The tight-knit community of Washington Crossing, located in Upper Makefield Township, is reeling from the tragic loss of six people after last week's severe flooding.

Residents in the area have set up flowers along a guardrail where the flood waters swept away cars to honor those who died.

"My mom, even still, we were trying to talk about it and she starts to tear up and stuff. So it's pretty shocking," said neighborhood resident Trent McKay.

People are especially devastated by the loss of 2-year-old Matilda Sheils and the ongoing search for her brother, Conrad.

"We've never had children lost in a flood, and cars washed away, it's just devastating. I think we are all very, very upset," said Susan Moody.

"I think about those survivors and what their life must be like, and I am very, very sorry," Moody added.

Despite the immense tragedy, Upper Makefield Township police say the discovery of Matilda has given them more resolve to find Conrad.

"After yesterday's news, we know so many are still reeling at the tragic loss of life, but we are grateful that prayers were answered and that we were able to bring Mattie home. This has only strengthened our resolve to reunite Conrad with his family and sister," wrote Upper Makefield Township police.

As the search continues, Upper Makefield Township police will host a vigil on Sunday at the Garden of Reflection, a 9-11 memorial site in Yardley, Pennsylvania.

The vigil will give the community a chance to come together and mourn..