Police found the bodies of the three missing girls Saturday in a pond in Texas, hours after the sisters were reported missing. The three girls, nine-year-old Zyahriel Oliver, eight-year-old Amanda Hughes, and five-year-old Temari Oliver, stayed with family friends while their mother worked.
The friend reported the sisters missing around 10 pm on Friday. Police began searching the area and found a pair of shoes sitting at the edge of a pond on the neighbor’s property. Investigators found all three girls’ bodies at the bottom of the pond around 2 a.m. Saturday, according to Cass County Sheriff’s Office.
The circumstances surrounding the girl’s deaths are being investigated, but the police did not announce any criminal charges. The sister’s bodies have been sent for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
The search by law enforcement officials included elements from local police, the fire department, and the Game Warden.
Authorities said they found prints in the mud close to where the shoes were found. The girl’s mother, who remains anonymous, confirmed the shoes were from one of her daughters.
Authorities indicated the girl’s death could be accidental. “It is not known if they were swimmers or not. None of them had life vests, so I have no idea how strong of a swimmer they were, or whether they were swimmers at all”, Lt. Jason Jones told KTAL.
For more on this story, please consider these sources:
- Bodies of 3 children recovered from Cass County pond | cbs19.tv
- Bodies of 3 sisters recovered in pond after being reported missing in East Texas, sheriff says – KSAT San Antonio
- Texas police discover bodies of 3 young sisters in pond hours after they were reported missing – Fox News