A Virginia couple, John Herb Hayes III, 70, and Geordyn Nichole Hayes, 31, are facing charges after their 5-year-old daughter, Saylor Hayes, was found dead in South Carolina waters. Saylor, described as autistic and nonverbal, disappeared and was discovered on Monday morning near Hagley Landing, a boat ramp in Pawleys Island, South Carolina.

The parents were taken into custody in Carter County, Tennessee, on charges of unlawfully placing a child at risk or willfully abandoning a child, as announced by the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office. Saylor was reported missing on Sunday afternoon. Her body was found the following day, after an extensive search involving multiple agencies.

The arrest affidavits indicate that the parents failed to provide supervision appropriate for Saylor, who was known to have an affinity for water and a history of wandering. She was left unsupervised within 15 meters of water while in South Carolina.

Saylor’s mother had initially reported that her daughter wandered off from a rental home in Hagley Estates wearing a swimsuit. The search used a Project Lifesaver transmitter, a wearable tracking device, but Saylor was not wearing it when she went missing. The device had been left behind in a vehicle at the family’s Virginia residence.

The Georgetown County Sheriff, Carter Weaver, remarked on the tragedy, emphasizing the child’s vulnerability and the failure of the adults responsible for her care to protect her. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, which hosts the Project Lifesaver program Saylor was enrolled in, confirmed the transmitter was indeed left at their home.

Sheriff Weaver stated that although nothing can bring Saylor back, efforts will continue to seek justice and accountability, ensuring the protection of vulnerable community members.