The police in rural Tasmania has launched a massive search after a 4-year-old girl mysteriously disappeared.

According to the Tasmanian police, little Shayla Phillips from Stormlea was last seen sometime around 2.30 pm on Wednesday when she was playing in her backyard with her neighbor’s dogs.

Following her unexplained disappearance, the police launched a major search of surrounding dams and bushland in hopes of locating the child whose frantic mother called for help at around 3 pm after noticing she was no longer playing in the backyard.

Since the search began, the rescuers came across both of the dogs Shayla was playing with but found no sign of the 4-year-old.

“She was playing outside with some dogs from the neighboring residence, that’s not an uncommon thing, Shayla knows the dogs well and is very fond of them,” police Inspector Gavin Hallett revealed.

As the police added, foul play is not suspected as of this moment.

“The area around here is very undulating pastureland but it’s also very dense woodland. In all we’ve had close to 100 emergency service personnel assisting in the search,” Hallett added.

“Because of the isolation, terrain and age of Shayla the rescue helicopter was deployed immediately.”

Assisting the search are also specialist dogs and the police drone unit.

In fears that the young girl might have fallen into the water, Hallett also called in the dive squad to inspect the dams in the area. All four dams close to the girl’s home have reportedly already been checked overnight.

“To ensure a coordinated and safe search, police advise that sufficient resources are currently deployed to the area and further assistance is not sought at this time,” the inspector concluded.

Our thoughts are with Shayla’s family as they wait for the return of the 4-year-old.

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