NORTON (WBSM) — A six-year-old girl who had been reported missing earlier today was later pulled from a partially-frozen pond in Norton and pronounced deceased.

According to Norton Fire Chief Shawn Simmons and Police Chief Brian M. Clark, the girl – who had earlier been reported as being autistic and non-verbal – was pulled from an icy pond off Power Street this afternoon.

The initial call for the missing child came in at about 2:28 p.m. Because the girl’s home was so close to the water, Norton Fire personnel immediately began searching nearby Barrowsville Pond and Wading River.

Fire and police personnel were assisted in the search by Massachusetts State Police, the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council and the Norton Emergency Management Agency.

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Multiple Norton firefighters put on cold water rescue suits and entered the water. At 3:27 p.m., divers found her in the water on the Barrowsville side of the bridge over Power Street.

EMS performed life-saving efforts both at the scene and in the ambulance during transport, but the girl was pronounced deceased when she arrived at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim," Chief Simmons said.

"Our hearts go out to the family," Chief Clark said. "We offer our condolences for their loss."

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These are the top stories in New Bedford and across the SouthCoast from January 1 to January 10, 2025. Click the photo or title to read the complete story.

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