Arizona 6-Year-Old’s Body Found After She Was Swept From Vehicle

ARIZONA — The body of missing 6-year-old Willa Rawlings was found Friday, Dec. 13 around 2:30 p.m. on Roosevelt Lake’s north side, according to azcentral.com. Willa and her brother Colby, 5, and their cousin Austin, 5, were swept out of the family vehicle by floodwaters after Willa’s parents Daniel and Lacey Rawlings drove around flood warning signs at a Tonto Basin crossing about 80 miles from Phoenix on Black Friday.

Four other children and Daniel Rawlings were rescued from an island, while Lacey Rawlings was rescued from the shore. But Willa, Colby and Austin remained in the family’s military-style vehicle and were swept away by floodwaters. Colby’s and Austin’s bodies were recovered the following day, Nov. 30, but Willa was still missing.

Hundreds of volunteers went on a search and rescue mission Dec. 1 and found what was believed to be one of Willa’s shoes. On Dec. 3 Willa’s pants were found a few miles from where the family’s vehicle sank into the creek and the girl was swept away, Fox 10 reported, but Willa could still not be located — until Dec. 13.

Gila County Sheriff J. Adam Shepherd said in a statement, "My condolences and prayers go to the Rawlings family, who have lost three young children, and I am grateful we were able to find Willa today," CBS News reported. "As this concludes this operation, this event will have a lasting effect on all of us," Shepherd added.

Willa’s grandmother Trudy Rawlings told azfamily.com of her gratitude and relief that Willa’s body was found after two weeks of uncertainty. “We feel relieved and we’re so grateful for the closure. We express love and gratitude for volunteers who gave up their time to find her. We believe in the power of prayer. We prayed that we would be at peace.”

The Rawlings Family Tonto Basin Accident GoFundMe campaign has raised more than double its $25,000 goal so far.

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