Police acknowledge search missteps after missing toddler found dead in family pool

German authorities have confirmed that a three-year-old girl reported missing in Preetz, near Kiel, drowned in a pool on her family's property. Preliminary autopsy findings released following the recovery of the body established drowning as the cause of death after the child vanished on Wednesday.

Police faced scrutiny after acknowledging that search teams had initially inspected the pool area without locating the toddler, only to find her body there during subsequent search operations. The discovery concluded an extensive multi-agency effort across the surrounding residential neighborhood and nearby waterways. Local investigators confirmed the identity of the deceased child and stated that there are currently no indications of third-party involvement in the incident.

Sources: Der Spiegel, Die Zeit, FAZ