Authorities in Kentucky say a missing 9-year-old girl who walked away from her home was found dead in a nearby pond after an extensive search involving multiple rescue teams and volunteers.
According to the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, the body of Jenny Din was discovered around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, in a pond near her home in Florence. The child had been missing for roughly 25 hours.
Search teams from the Hamilton County Underwater Search and Recovery Unit located the girl after combing through multiple bodies of water in the area.
Authorities said Din’s identity was confirmed before her family was notified.
Alert Issued After Child Disappeared
The Kentucky State Police issued an IAN alert for Din after she was reported missing on Friday. The alert system, created in July 2025, is designed for missing children under 18 with autism or mental illness who may be in danger.
Din, who was autistic and non-verbal, was last seen around 5 p.m. Friday walking along MacIntosh Lane after leaving her home without shoes, according to authorities.
Law enforcement agencies, rescue teams, and volunteers searched an area covering roughly four square miles as they attempted to locate the child.
Challenging Search Conditions
Search efforts included divers navigating several ponds and waterways in the surrounding area.
Lt. Anthony Theetge described the difficult conditions in the water during the operation.
“The water is very dark,” Theetge said, according to WKRC-TV Local 12 News. “There is practically no sight depending on how deep the water is. A lot of times they are just guiding themselves by feel.”
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities said the search involved assistance from the Boone County Water Rescue and the Hamilton County Search and Rescue, along with community volunteers.
Following the discovery of Din’s body, the case was transferred to the sheriff’s office Criminal Investigations Division.
“Tragically, this is not the outcome we had hoped for,” Kentucky State Police said in a statement thanking first responders, volunteers, and members of the public who assisted in the search.
Officials said an autopsy will be conducted to determine the child’s exact cause of death as the investigation continues. Authorities have asked anyone with information related to the case to contact the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.
