On August 27, a 3-year-old from Mountain Grove, Missouri was reported missing from her home around 6 p.m.
According to KYTV, authorities say Vivian Fitzenrider wandered from her home and couldn’t be found. The little girl’s parents said they thought their daughter went into their house around 5:30 p.m. But when they realized that’s not what happened, and they couldn’t find Vivian, they called for help.
Then roughly 13 hours after she was reported missing, little Vivian was found just 200 yards away from her home.
Missing from 13th and Oakview ln. Her name is Vivian. 3yrs old navy shirt blue Jean’s. Red hair if you see her please…
As KYTV reports, Vivian’s body was discovered in a shallow, three-feet-deep pound, roughly five yards from the edge. The 3-year-old was one of six children who were living in the home.
As Mountain Grove Fire Department wrote in their final update:
We are posting this morning with heavy hearts. As many of you know the body of 3-year-old Vivian was recovered this morning. It is a tragedy that no one is prepared for and an outcome nobody ever wants. Our prayers now are with Vivian’s Family, Friends, and Community. Along with law enforcement, fire departments, sheriff departments there were hundreds of volunteers from our community that responded to the incident and assisted with the search. This is what makes Mountain Grove the most wonderful place on earth. The Mountain Grove Fire Department brags on our community and we are never ever disappointed. Hundreds of people from our community came out and searched. I know we all hoped that she would be found safe, but it is not what God had planned. Now we are asking our community to wrap this family in prayers for peace and understanding in the coming days and forward from there. Once again thank you to everyone that searched, donated or prayed for us during this tragedy. God Bless and stay safe.
Sergeant Jeff Kinder of the Missouri Highway Patrol told KYTV that the investigation into Vivian’s unexpected passing is still ongoing. However, they do not expect foul play.
It’s unclear if the pond near the family’s home was a place where they went regularly with Vivian. According to HealthyChildren.org, toddlers are often curious by nature, and many are naturally attracted to water.
Because “drowning is the leading cause of injury death in children ages one to four,” it’s crucial—especially for children who can’t swim—to learn and understand the dangers of water.