Bahama community grieves loss of 3-year-old found in pond

Deputies with the Durham County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a missing person at 9706 Rougemont Road in Bahama on Monday and found the girl in a creek behind the property.

The girl was taken to Duke Hospital, where she died at about 10 p.m. Tuesday.

Nicki Bowen, who lives nearby, said the community is grieving.

"I've got small children. It just hurts your heart," she said. "We're a very, very small community and even though I did not know them personally, it's the type of thing, when you hear about someone being sick or something happens, it affects the whole community."

Another neighbor said the child's father called her house, asking for help in the search, and saying his daughter had wandered off with the family dog.

Authorities said detectives were continuing to speak with family members and examine evidence recovered from the scene, but no charges have been filed.

The circumstances leading to the discovery of the girl remain under investigation, deputies said.