Body of nonverbal 5-year-old Saylor Hayes recovered in Pawleys Island waters

Key points

• Saylor Hayes, a 5-year-old nonverbal girl, was reported missing on Sunday afternoon after wandering from her family's rental home in the Hagley Community, Georgetown County, SC.
• Her body was recovered by South Carolina Department of Natural Resources agents around 9:45 a.m. Monday in the waters near where she was last seen.
• The search involved multiple agencies, including the Georgetown County Sheriff's Office, Charleston County Sheriff's Office, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and the U.S. Coast Guard.
• Project Lifesaver technology was used to track the child, but officials reported no signal was received from her device during the search.
• A cause of death has not yet been released, and the investigation is ongoing.

Background

This incident follows a pattern of missing child cases in the region, including a 17-year-old boy found dead in California after rafting and a 33-year-old woman found in the Delaware River. The use of Project Lifesaver technology, a tracking system for individuals with cognitive disabilities, was a key element in this search, though it did not yield a signal.

How outlets are covering it

WMBF and Live 5 News both confirmed the recovery of Saylor Hayes' body on Monday morning, with WMBF noting the involvement of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Live 5 News emphasized the two-day search effort and the role of neighborhood volunteers. WPDE provided detailed descriptions of the search methods, including the use of Project Lifesaver and the closure of the Hagley Boat Landing. All sources agreed on the timeline and the multi-agency nature of the search, but differed in their emphasis on the specific agencies involved and the community's role.

Why it matters

The case highlights the challenges of searching for nonverbal children and the importance of multi-agency coordination in emergency responses. The use of Project Lifesaver technology, while not successful in this instance, underscores the need for advanced tracking systems in missing person cases. The community's involvement in the search also demonstrates the impact of local participation in emergency situations.

What to watch

Authorities are expected to release a cause of death in the coming days as the investigation continues. The family is expected to receive support from local organizations, and the community may hold a memorial or fundraiser in honor of Saylor Hayes.