Father reverses tractor, mistakingly killing 5-year-old daughter

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GOLDEN GATE ESTATES, Fla. – A 5-year-old girl who loved tractor rides with her father was killed at the 2100 block on Southwest 16th Avenue on Saturday when he reversed his tractor and accidentally ran over her, deputies said.

Neighbors said around noon on Saturday they heard sirens and saw several trucks and patrol cars near the family’s home. They later found out that 5-year-old Scarlett Sponseller had died. Neighbor Frank Reaves, said he heard the girl’s father was unaware that his daughter was behind the tractor.

“Apparently he just didn’t know she was there. I can’t imagine how they feel,” Reaves said.

The family is grieving the loss of Sponseller and declined to provide comment, friends said.

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