The body of a six-year-old girl was discovered in a cesspit behind a church off East Street South on Friday night after a five-hour search for her, police said.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean said relatives reported the girl missing around 6 p.m. and began searching for her. They reported to police that the girl was playing with several other children on Windstead Avenue when she went missing. She was found around 11 p.m.

"They mounted a search party in the area in an attempt to find this young girl," said Dean around midnight.

"The search intensified. The police were called. They brought in the K-9 Unit to assist with the search. Just over an hour ago police were able to locate the body with the assistance of the K-9 Unit in a cesspit just rear of a church building... We are interviewing a number of persons to determine how this could have happened."

Police said an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death. Dean also warned parents and guardians about leaving children unattended.

"They must be in the care or eyesight of a parent or adult at all times," he said. "The responsibility for these children is [not their own]. They cannot be left on their own. It is non-negotiable. We are putting out the warning to people to please know where your children are every time, every hour and every minute."

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