A quiet neighborhood in Pearland was shaken on the morning of March 11, 2026, when seven-year-old Skylar Hopson was reported missing. According to police, Skylar had left her home on foot earlier that morning. Around 9:40 a.m., her mother contacted the Pearland Police Department, prompting an immediate response to the 2000 block of Sunset Springs Drive. Authorities said Skylar was last seen wearing a tie-dye dress and carrying her iPad.

Because the young girl was non-verbal and on the autism spectrum, officers treated the situation with urgency and requested an AMBER Alert to quickly spread the information. A large search effort soon began in the normally quiet Shadow Creek Ranch neighborhood. Police deployed K9 units, drones, and aerial support from the Houston Police Department.

Residents were also asked to check their security cameras for possible clues. Investigators later confirmed that a nearby camera captured footage of Skylar walking alone along a sidewalk while holding her iPad. As the search continued, trained dogs repeatedly tracked a scent toward a nearby retention pond. At the same time, investigators traced the signal from Skylar’s iPad to the same location. Search teams quickly focused on the area and divers were called to assist.

Around 2:45 p.m., rescue personnel recovered Skylar from the water. Authorities later confirmed that she had passed away at the scene, bringing deep sadness to the community that had spent the day hoping for her safe return. Police thanked residents for their support during the search and extended condolences to Skylar’s family as the community continues to mourn.