Body recovered, scene clears in search for 2-year-old girl in Edina

KSTP

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5 EYEWITNESS NEWS is tracking the latest updates in a search for missing 2-year-old Iklas Abdullahi Ahmed.

4 p.m.

After more than 18 hours of searching, crews found the body of a missing child around 1 p.m. Tuesday in the water near Rosland Park, the city of Edina confirmed.

“On behalf of the City, I want to send our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers to the family and loved ones of this young girl,” Edina Police Chief Todd Milburn said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to all those affected by this devastating tragedy.”

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office will officially determine the child’s identity and cause of death.

2:54 p.m.

Iklas Abdullahi Ahmed[Edina Police Department]

A KSTP crew at the scene in Edina Tuesday witnessed the recovery of a body.

Authorities, family, friends and community members were at the scene of the search, which has now cleared, the crew reports.

Additional information has not yet been made available.

1:45 p.m.

KSTP Reporter Alex Jokich confirms the medical examiner is at the scene of a search for Iklas in the area of Rosland Park in Edina.

Search efforts have been underway for the missing 2-year-old girl since Monday evening.

1:09 p.m.

KSTP Reporter Alex Jokich says officials have moved the police line back at Rosland Park.

Jokich reported it appeared first responders were focusing on a pond next to Highway 62.

Family and friends of the missing toddler could be seen hudding together nearby.

12:34 p.m.

KSTP Reporter Alex Jockich reported family, friends and community members gathered at the park hoping to help with the search.

Officials report Iklas has been missing for more than 19 hours after wandering away from family Monday night.

11:33 a.m.

KSTP Reporter Alex Jokich, at the scene of the search, reports volunteers are in the area helping to look for Iklas.

10:30 a.m.

In an update Tuesday, police said family told them the girl was wearing a yellow top, blue leggings and pink shoes when she was last seen. The family said the girl is autistic and non-verbal and may not respond.

Edina Police Chief Todd Millburn said the comprehensive search continued overnight into Tuesday.

Millburn said officers also gained a better understanding of the series of events from Monday night. Millburn said the girl’s father brought his kids to the park. The father had brought one of the kids to restroom when it was believed the girl wandered off, Millburn said. The father searched the area and asked others in the area to help in the search.

Millburn said efforts were primarily focused on pond searches in the park and that additional searches were continuing Tuesday.

Police said the park remained closed and that West 66th Street is closed between Valley View Road and West Shore Drive for the search.

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7:30 a.m. Tuesday

Police in Edina are asking for the public’s help in finding a missing girl Iklas as authorities continue to search for her.

Police and fire crews searched the area Monday night and asked residents to continue to stay away from the park Tuesday.

"This doesn’t mean our missing child is here within the immediate area," Edina Police Chief Todd Milburn said. "This child could have wandered off way beyond the park area so that is why we’re reaching out to our residents beyond the park to see if they’ve seen anything and they can help."

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10:30 p.m.

Police in Edina are asking for the public’s help in finding a missing 2-year-old girl as authorities continue to search for her.

According to Edina Police, the girl — Iklas Abdullahi Ahmed — was last seen in the area of Rosland Park at about 5 p.m. It’s believed that she wandered away from family on her own.

Police and fire crews were searching the area Monday night and asked residents to stay away from the park. Edina Police Chief Todd Milburn said at 10:30 p.m. that law enforcement still hadn’t found the girl and would continue to search for her overnight.

Search efforts Monday night included the use of drones, a Minnesota State Patrol helicopter and K-9s. Police asked Edina residents to check their yards, garages and areas on their property as the search continues.

The girl was last seen wearing white clothes and an orange hijab, police said.

Anyone who sees her or has information about where she might be is asked to call police at 952-826-1600.

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6:48 p.m. Monday

Police in Edina are asking for the public’s help in finding a missing 2-year-old girl.

According to Edina Police, the girl was last seen in the area of Rosland Park, which is on the 4300 block of West 66th Street, at about 5 p.m.

Police and fire crews were searching the area Monday night.

Anyone who sees her or has information about where she might be is asked to call police at 952-826-1600.