In a heartbreaking turn of events, the body of a 2-year-old girl who was swept away during severe flooding in a Philadelphia suburb has been found. The Upper Makefield Township Fire Chief, Tim Brewer, announced in a news conference on Friday that a body believed to be that of Mattie Sheils was discovered in the Delaware River in Philadelphia, south of the Betsy Ross Bridge. Multiple 911 callers reported the finding a little after 5 p.m. local time.

Chief Brewer revealed that the child's body was located in debris against a pier near a waste management plant. It was recovered and taken to the Philadelphia coroner's office for identification. Though further identification processes are pending, authorities strongly believe that it is indeed 2-year-old Mattie Sheils based on the physical description of the child and the clothing found on her.

This devastating discovery comes about 32 miles south of where Mattie and her 9-month-old brother, Conrad, were swept away on the night of July 15 in Upper Makefield Township, Bucks County. While Mattie's body has been found, Conrad remains missing, and the search for him is ongoing.

The tragic incident unfolded when a roadway in Upper Makefield Township flooded during a powerful storm, claiming the lives of five other people, including the children's mother. The Sheils family, from Charleston, South Carolina, was driving when they got caught in the flooding. Fortunately, the children's father, grandmother, and 4-year-old brother survived.

The community has been rallying around the Sheils family, offering their support and prayers during this difficult time. President Biden, who was in Philadelphia on Thursday for an unrelated event, also addressed the deadly flooding, expressing condolences for those who lost their lives and acknowledging the undeniable presence of global warming.

While the recovery of Mattie's body brings some closure to the family, their hearts remain broken as they continue to hope for Conrad's safe return. The search efforts will persist, with first responders and rescue personnel dedicated to reuniting Conrad with his family and sister.

The Sheils family has expressed their gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring of love and support from the community and people across the country. In a statement posted on the Upper Makefield Township Police Department's Facebook page, they thanked everyone for their compassion and kindness and reiterated their prayers for Conrad's return.

This tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the devastating impact of severe weather events and the importance of preparedness and safety measures during such situations. As the search for Conrad continues, the community remains united in their efforts to bring him home and support the grieving Sheils family.