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Heartbreaking Discovery Made In Search For Missing Texas Child

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated May 7, 2025 2:02 PM ET

Recent flooding in Brenham, Texas resulted in tons of damage and emergencies. But one of the most recent tragedies caused by the flooding was a 10-year-old child being swept away by the waters.

Sadly, the news only got worse today.

According to the Associated Press, the body of third-grader Devah Woods was found yesterday following a search that had been going on since Monday. Woods attended Brenham Elementary school.

Per the report, Woods and her sister were walking home when they got caught by floodwaters from a nearby creek. How Woods good into the water is uncertain at this time, but her sister attempted to help her out.

City spokesperson Melinda Gordon said that a local man who saw Woods get swept away along with a Brenham police officer attempted a rescue but were unsuccessful. The man managed to get her backpack, but not her. The two who helped were later treated by paramedics and released.

"Teams of people scoured the city Monday night, using dogs and drones with thermal imaging to try to find the girl. The water rescue operation was scaled back overnight when heavy thunderstorms moved through, but four swift water rescue teams resumed operations early Tuesday, the Fire Department said via social media," the Associated Press reported.

The Brenham community is mourning the loss of Devah Woods. Her classmates told KBTX she was loved, and they’ll miss their friend dearly. How you can help her family: https://t.co/nl4U1usjRM pic.twitter.com/67LH66iD42
— KBTX News (@KBTXNews) May 7, 2025

On Tuesday morning at around 10:45 a.m., a dive team with the Texas Department of Public Safety announced that her body had been recovered. She was found over a mile away from where she initially went missing.

Brenham mayor Atwood Kenjura thanked those who helped but admitted that it was a tough pill to swallow.

“We’re a very, very special community, very tight-knit Christian community. The response from everyone was overwhelming,” Kenjura said. “We don’t like the outcome that happened.”

Woods' school has offered support services for students and staff and expressed how heartbroken they were for the girl's family. They asked for thoughts and prayers during this time.

“Our hearts are broken for Devah’s family, and we ask that you continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this unimaginably difficult time,” the school district said in a recent social media post.

Our hearts go out to Devah Woods' family and loved ones.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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