Desperate Search For Missing Girl Ends In Tragedy

A five-year-old nonverbal girl who wandered from a South Carolina vacation rental was found dead in nearby waters, authorities said.

Story Snapshot

Deputies said search teams found 5-year-old Saylor Hayes near the rental where she vanished.
Officials said she wandered from a Pawleys Island home on Sunday and was found Monday morning.
State wildlife agents located her during a coordinated multi-agency search.
Reporters noted she was nonverbal, which can raise danger near water.

Child Located After Overnight Search Near Pawleys Island

Georgetown County deputies said the body of 5-year-old Saylor Hayes was found Monday morning in waters close to where she was last seen near a rental home in the Hagley Estates area of Pawleys Island. The Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office reported that she vanished Sunday, prompting crews to search by land and water through the night. The office said South Carolina wildlife officers discovered her around mid-morning on the second day of the search.

Local outlet WPDE reported that deputies said Saylor had wandered away from the home her family was renting on Old Waccamaw Drive on Sunday. The station said search teams converged on the nearby Waccamaw River area, and authorities closed the Hagley Boat Landing during operations. The recovery came Monday on the second day of the search, according to the sheriff’s office statements shared with media.

Agencies, Neighbors, And First Responders Coordinated The Effort

County officials said the search drew multiple units and community help. Coverage noted that state wildlife agents, county fire and emergency medical teams, and other responders worked together across docks, marsh, and shoreline. An ABC affiliate reported that the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources located Saylor during a coordinated water search on Monday morning, after crews had combed the area overnight with boats and gear.

National reporting summarized that the sheriff’s office confirmed her body was found in waters near where she was last seen, ending the urgent effort that began Sunday. That report also highlighted that Saylor was nonverbal and was last seen in a bathing suit, details that often heighten concern when a child is near water. The account cited the official update from the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office as the basis for those key facts.

Water Risks For Nonverbal And Autistic Children

Public-safety experts say water can be a strong draw for some children with communication challenges. Prior reporting in another state found that children with autism face a sharply higher risk of drowning compared to peers, due to a tendency to wander and difficulty responding to danger or calls from rescuers. That reporting stated the risk can be far higher than average, which is why families and local leaders often push for tracking tools and locked barriers near water.

Saylor Hayes cause of death: Missing 5-year-old found dead in Pawleys Island; key details herehttps://t.co/vnpHEdwP10

— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) August 31, 2026

Families and local agencies often lean on national resources during the first hours of a search. A federal guide for missing-child cases directs families and police toward the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s twenty-four-hour line and technical advisors who can help coordinate rapid response and tracking tools. Those resources can bring more eyes, proven checklists, and specialized equipment to the scene when minutes matter.

Law Enforcement Says Investigation Continues

Officials typically wait for medical examiners to confirm cause and manner of death before releasing more details. In similar cases, agencies have stressed dignity for the family and careful sharing of information while facts are still being gathered. Here, authorities grounded public updates in confirmed search actions and the location of recovery. As with most child recoveries near water, the formal findings will guide any next steps and safety recommendations locally.