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Desperate search for missing four-year-old Tasmania girl

A frantic search is underway for a missing four-year-old girl from Tasmania.

Shayla Phillips, from the Stormlea area, has not been seen since 2:30pm on Wednesday, Tasmania Police said on Thursday morning.

She was last seen playing with two dogs in a backyard on Stormlea Road while wearing pink leggings, a cream top, and gumboots.

Missing Shayla Phillips feeding chickens in a backyard.
Shayla Phillips has been missing since Wednesday afternoon. Source: Tasmania Police

Tasmania Police conducted a "significant search" for Shayla overnight with the help of Tasmania SES, Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Police Drone Unit, and specialist dogs.

The dog Shayla is believed to have been with when she was last seen was located during the search.

"Due to the isolation of the area, and to ensure a coordinated and safe search, police advise that sufficient resources are currently deployed to the area and further assistance is not sought at this time," police said in a statement.

Tasman Council mayor Kelly Spaulding, who lives on Stormlea Road, told The Mercury that he left a council meeting and rushed home after hearing of Shayla's disappearance.

“It’s just horrible for anyone in this situation. Everybody feels it when a child goes missing,” he said.

“That’s why I dropped what I was doing and headed home.

“Our property is not far from the search area so I just went home and checked around our place and listened for any sign of the girl.”

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