Police Investigate Tragic Death of 9-Year-Old Girl

A 9-year-old girl was found dead and buried in sand at a park in Tulsa. Police have been investigating the incident throughout the day Friday.

Friday, November 11th 2011, 11:16 pm

By: News 9


A 9-year-old girl was found dead and buried in sand at a park in Tulsa. Police have been investigating the incident throughout the day Friday.

It was shortly after 1 p.m. Friday when park goers found the child's body in the sand near a swing set. Those citizens called 911.

Now, investigators are trying to figure out exactly how the little girl died.

Family members and those who knew the little girl are left heartbroken after learning 9-year-old Hannah Marie Todd would not be coming home.

"It's sad," said a man whose child attended school with Hannah. "My little boy is dealing with it, and we're just trying to come to terms with it."

Tulsa police are still trying to figure out exactly what happened to Hannah. Police say the death may be a horrible accident.

"There's no obvious signs of trauma to [Hannah's] body," said Tulsa police officer Leland Ashley. "At this point, we don't know if it is a tragic accident or if there is actually foul play involved."

Witnesses tell police Hannah was last seen playing with other children around 11 a.m. Friday. Police located her body after 1 p.m. the same day.

"It appeared that there was some freshness to the body being in the sand," said Capt. Steve Odom of the Tulsa Police Department.

A man whose children play at the park tells News 9 children will commonly play a game where they bury each other in the sand.

Hannah was a student at Mark Twain Elementary School in Tulsa. School officials say counselors will be available to talk with Hannah's classmates on Monday.

A police chaplain was on the scene to counsel Hannah's grieving family. Tulsa police are asking anyone who may have seen Hannah just before her death to contact them.

At this time, police are not reporting if the body was fully or partially buried.

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