Nearly $20,000 Raised For Montco Family Who Lost Child In Storm

TOWAMENCIN, PA — The local community has come together in a big way to support the family of five-year-old Eliza Talal, who was found dead in Towamencin Township on Wednesday.

A GoFundMe memorial campaign launched in Eliza's memory had received more than $19,000 in donations before noon on Thursday, just a day after her body was found near Towamencin Creek.

Eliza, who was autistic and nonverbal, had wandered outside of her home during the height of Tropical Storm Isaias at around noon Tuesday. Police believe she was swept up in flood waters of the creek, which runs behind her family's home.

>>Child Found Dead In Montco Is Missing Girl, Eliza Talal, Police Confirm

The resulting search over the next 24 hours brought together hundreds of law enforcement members and emergency responders, as well as hundreds more residents of the surrounding community who banded together in tireless search parties into the night Tuesday. It was one of these volunteers who ultimately found Eliza late Wednesday morning.

More than 400 different donors had given to the fundraiser for Eliza's family as of Thursday morning. The funds will be used for her funeral expenses, as well as therapies for her two siblings, who lost their sister.

The fund was created by a neighbor of the family, Michael Brothen. Though Brothen did not personally know the family, he has children with autism and was moved to help his neighbors in an unimaginable time. The account is directly linked to the family's savings account, family and friends said.

"We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and support from our community! We cannot thank you enough for your kindness," the family wrote.

To donate to the campaign, see here.

Montgomery County declared a disaster emergency in the wake of the storm, which brought historic, destructive floods throughout the region and knocked out power for hundreds of thousands. One person remains missing in Montgomery County after being swept away into the Schuylkill River near Whitemarsh.

>>Montco Declares Disaster Emergency; 1 Person Remains Missing

Countywide, law enforcement performed 134 water rescues on Tuesday, officials said.