Missing Tampa baby girl found in canal has died

NORTH PORT, Florida -- (WBBH) -- A 1-year-old who was reported missing from North Port on Tuesday morning was found in a canal behind her home and has died.

The girl, 20-month-old Ava Perry, was rushed to the emergency room for life-saving procedures after being found around 1 p.m. less than two hours after she was reported missing. However, despite all attempts to save her life, North Port Police announced that Ava died at 1:20 p.m.

Rescuers found Ava half a mile from where she went missing in 4- to 5-feet-deep water.

Authorities said she was outside her home on Alam Avenue near South Biscayne Drive playing with an older sibling before her disappearance. The backyard in which they were playing is not fenced in, and she was able to walk.

An aggressive current pulled her down the canal, according to police.

A search and rescue team, dive units, as well as units in the air and on the water aided in the search that lasted for roughly an hour and a half before she was found.

Investigators have not said who was supervising her at the time she went missing. They did say that they can't determine if foul play is involved at this time.

An investigation is ongoing.