02 June 2023 , 13:32
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The body of a four-year-old missing girl from southwest Florida has been found this morning in a canal.
The body of Evelyn K Geer was found in the canal in Charlotte County, where her family had been staying in a holiday home.
Authorities say the child wandered from the home in Port Charlotte and was reported missing in the early hours of Friday morning.
Her body was found by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials who were searching the waterways by boat at around 7.30am this morning, Friday, June 2.
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office aviation and dog units have reportedly been at the scene investigating all morning.
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Police at the scene in Port Charlotte, FloridaAuthorities said her body was discovered along the water edge down a canal behind the home her family was staying in.
Evelyn was reported missing at around 1am on Friday morning with aviation units and dog units deployed in the search for her. Her body was recovered just hours later.
In a statement, the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) said: "We are heartbroken to confirm that the body of four-year-old Evelyn K Geer has been discovered along the water edge down the canal behind the VRBO the family was staying in.
Evelyn was reported missing at around 1am"FWC located her about an hour ago while searching by boat. Please keep the family in your prayers as they go through this unbearable time."
Evelyn is said to have wandered off from the VRBO holiday home wearing a diaper. CCSO also said she was on the spectrum.
Cochran Boulevard was reportedly closed by authorities between Education and Collingwood Boulevard until further notice.
Police have not yet released a cause of death. A neighbour said he woke up at 4am to hear helicopters circling overhead.