Rescue efforts for a 9-month-old boy end following the tragic flood that claimed six lives, including his sister and mother
Authorities concluded an exhaustive search for 9-month-old Conrad Sheils, who was swept away in a flash flood that also took the lives of his 2-year-old sister, mother, and four others in southeastern Pennsylvania earlier this month.
Despite extensive efforts, divers found no trace of Conrad’s body in the Delaware River, where a local creek merges after the flood. Canine units, along with marine and air resources, combed through the river, its banks, and nearby islands, yet no signs of the missing child were detected.
In a somber announcement, Upper Makefield Township police stated that “all means of locating Conrad have been exhausted,” expressing their heartbreak over the outcome of the search. The official search ended on Wednesday after authorities used sonar, drones, and heavy equipment across both the Pennsylvania and New Jersey sides of the river.
The search mobilized hundreds of volunteers and rescuers, who remained hopeful throughout the days following the incident. The boy’s sister, Matilda Sheils, was located last weekend near a Philadelphia wastewater facility, around 30 miles from where the flood had initially struck the family’s car on July 15.
This tragedy adds to growing concerns over flash floods in the region, which have been exacerbated by severe weather patterns this season. Local officials continue to advise residents on emergency preparedness and the risks associated with sudden weather shifts.
