German police acknowledge initial search error as missing toddler found in pool

German authorities have confirmed that a missing three-year-old girl from Preetz, near Kiel, died by drowning after her body was retrieved from a pool on her family's property. Initial autopsy results show no evidence of third-party involvement or criminal foul play.

Police in Schleswig-Holstein admitted to significant search shortcomings after officers initially inspected the pool area without discovering the child. Her body was discovered during a subsequent, more detailed examination of the site. The admission of oversight during the early stages of the missing person operation has drawn public scrutiny as investigators wrap up their preliminary findings.

Sources: Der Spiegel, Die Zeit, FAZ