Mother and 7-Year-Old Daughter Dead After Being Swept Away in Flood Waters

Tragic news emerged from Leonard, Oklahoma, as a mother and her seven-year-old daughter lost their lives after being swept away by flood waters. The devastating incident occurred on Easter Sunday, leaving the community shaken and mourning the loss of Leila Seyed Faraji and her young daughter Rosa Faraji.

According to reports from the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO), the bodies of the mother and daughter were discovered the day after Easter following an extensive search operation. Rosa’s body was located by a boat crew from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol near Leonard, bringing a heartbreaking conclusion to the search along the Arkansas River. The young girl was identified as Rosa Faraji from Broken Arrow.

The tragic events unfolded as the family was travelling in a vehicle with Rosa’s 10-year-old sister and their parents, with the car becoming stranded in floodwaters. While the father and older daughter managed to jump to safety on higher ground, Leila Seyed Faraji and Rosa were swept away, eventually losing their lives in the devastating incident.

The Bixby Fire Department confirmed that Leila Seyed Faraji, aged 46, was the mother who tragically lost her life in the flood waters. The family had been en route to visit friends in the area when they inadvertently took a wrong turn and ended up on a flooded bridge over a creek, leading to the heartbreaking turn of events.

The community rallied together in support of the search and rescue efforts, with hundreds of concerned individuals and agencies coming together to assist in locating the missing mother and daughter. From search dogs to drones, helicopters, and boats, a multi-agency effort was deployed to find Leila and Rosa.

Following a relentless search, Leila’s body was recovered on Monday morning, with Rosa’s body being found later in the day. Amid the heart-wrenching ordeal, a family friend named Ahmad Moradi shared his sorrow and determination to stay by the creek until Rosa was found, emphasizing the community’s shared hope for a positive outcome.

The loss of Leila and Rosa Faraji has deeply impacted those who knew them, with Moradi recalling Rosa as one of his best students – a bright, enthusiastic, and well-mannered young girl. As the community mourns the tragic loss, the efforts and support from various organisations and individuals in the search and recovery operations have not gone unnoticed, with many going above and beyond in their search for the missing child.

The devastating incident serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable and dangerous nature of floodwaters, urging communities to stay vigilant and take precautions during times of severe weather. As the community comes to terms with this heartbreaking loss, their resilience and unity in the face of tragedy shine through, highlighting the importance of coming together in times of need.

The harrowing story of Leila and Rosa Faraji is a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the strength of community support in times of adversity. As the Leonard community mourns the loss of a mother and daughter, their memories will live on, cherished by those who knew and loved them.