Missing North Port Toddler Found Dead In Canal

NORTH PORT, FL -- A 20-month-old toddler reported missing earlier today, July 17, in Sarasota County has been found dead in a canal about a half mile from her North Port home.

Rescue teams performed life-saving measures at the scene and then rushed her to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, but authorities are now reporting that she did not survive. She reportedly died around 1:20 p.m.

Ava Natalia Perry went missing from her home around 10:15 a.m. Police say she was playing in the back yard of her home in the 8500 block of Alam Avenue with a 3-year-old sibling when she turned up missing. She was found in the canal at around 1 p.m. The 4-foot-deep canal is overgrown, which made spotting the baby difficult.

About 30 law enforcement officers including a helicopter and K9s participated in the search for the little girl.

Image via Facebook

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