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What kids are missing in Delaware River?

Matilda Sheils, 2, and Conrad Sheils, 9 months, disappeared as floodwaters claimed the life of their mother.



This question refers to the tragic and high-profile search for two children, Matilda (Mattie) Sheils and her brother Conrad Sheils, who were swept away by a flash flood in Upper Makefield Township, Pennsylvania, in July 2023. The family was caught in a "wall of water" while driving near Hittinger Creek, which flows into the Delaware River. While the body of two-year-old Mattie was recovered roughly 30 miles downstream near Philadelphia several days later, nine-month-old Conrad remained missing despite weeks of intensive searches by dive teams, K9 units, and sonar technology. The case gripped the region and highlighted the extreme dangers of sudden inland flooding. In early 2024, local authorities suspended active search operations after exhausted efforts yielded no further results. The incident remains a somber reminder of the power of the Delaware River system during severe weather events, and the community continues to honor the memory of the siblings through various local memorials and safety awareness campaigns.

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