NORTH PORT, FL (WWSB) - A 20-month-old who went missing in North Port has been found dead in a canal a half mile from her home.
Ava Natalia Perry went missing from her home around 10:15am. Police say she was playing in the backyard of her home in the 8500 block of Alam Avenue with a "slightly older" sibling, who police say is "around 3," who notified her parents when she went missing. Police were called to the scene around an hour later.
Police immediately began an aggressive search, with a helicopter in the air, marine units in the water, two K9 units and multiple agencies. The search focused on the canal behind the girl's home, which police describe as "fast moving" and "aggressive."
Ava was found in the canal around 1pm. She was about a half mile from her home, which police say was a result of the speed of the water of the canal.
She was taken from the scene to the hospital and though police say life-saving measures were undertaken, Ava passed away at 1:20pm.
North Port Police say this is still "an extremely active investigation, so there are no further details at this time."
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