4-year-old girl reported missing in Massachusetts found unresponsive in neighbor's pool

A missing 4-year-old girl from Massachusetts was found dead in her neighbor's pool, police announced Friday morning.

The young girl, who has autism and was identified only as Eva, was initially reported missing out of Sutton, about 50 miles southwest of Boston, on Thursday.

Hours later, authorities said that she was no longer considered a missing person and then Friday morning, announced she died.

Authorities said they would not be speaking to the press or doing on-camera interview out of respect for the girl's family, instead referring the public to a statement from Worcester County District Attorney Joe Early’s Office.

“At 3:50 p.m. Thursday, the Sutton Police Department received a 911 call reporting a 4-year-old girl had gone missing from her home," the statement read. "A short time later, the girl was found in a neighbor’s pool, unresponsive. Emergency personnel transported her to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester where she was pronounced deceased.”

The search for Eva

The Sutton Police Department posted Thursday afternoon that the girl was last seen in the Peachtree Drive area.

“There’s a heavy police and fire presence as we search for this young girl,” police shared online. “If you see her, please call 911 to alert us.”

Police call off search, share very little information

Just a few hours later, authorities shared that the girl was no longer considered a missing person, but gave very few details.

“We no longer are asking for assistance regarding the missing girl we posted. Thank you to all who shared, looked and offered info,” the police wrote.

Police did not immediately respond to requests for more information about the girl at the time, but community members took to the comments to offer prayers for the girl’s family. Commenters also voiced concerns about the outcome, since the post was vague.

Late Thursday night, the police department posted a message saying it would be off air for a bit.

"We’ll return in the near future, but taking a little time out," police wrote on Thursday.

On Friday morning, police returned to social media to offer condolences to the girl's family.

"The past 12 hours have been incredibly difficult for one of our families in town and our team of first responders," the police department wrote. "There are no words that we can offer to help ease the heartache our residents our feelings no. We are so incredibly sorry."

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at@SaleenMartin or email her at[email protected].