4-Year-Old Girl Found Dead in Canal After Wandering Away from Family’s Rental: ‘Heartbroken’

Photo:Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office

Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office

The search for a missing 4-year-old girl had a tragic end on Friday.

Evelyn Geer was reported missing at 1 a.m. and was found dead six hours later in Port Charlotte, Florida, according toWINK News.

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office announced the discovery of Geer’s remains,in a statement on Facebook, writing, “We are heartbroken to confirm that the body of 4-year-old Evelyn K. Geer (2-25-2019) has been discovered along the water edge down the canal behind the Vrbo the family was staying in.”

“Please keep the family in your prayers as they go through this unbearable time,” the sheriff’s office wrote.

Aviation units and a bloodhound were used in the search in the town that is 30 miles north of Fort Myers, according toToday. Claudette Smith, a public information officer with the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office told the outlet it was unclear when an autopsy will be performed.

“She wandered off from the Vrbo home her family has been staying at on Barksdale St. in Port Charlotte (near Cochran and Collingswood),” the statement read. “She was wearing a diaper at the time.”

She was thought to have wandered off toward the canal,ABC 7.

At home, the family used a deadbolt lock on the front door because Evelyn had autism, but their rental did not, the sheriff’s office said, according to WINK News.

When asked to describe her daughter, Evelyn said she was wearing “just a diaper.” “Oh, God. Oh, God! … She’s about 3 feet tall with long brown hair and a ponytail,” Evelyn said.

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Geer was found shortly after 7 a.m.

“Unfortunately, I am here to provide an update for you. We have located Evelyn deceased,” Smith said. “She’s located behind the canal, behind the homes on Barksdale Street, Port Charlotte.”

A neighbor told WINK News he woke up to helicopters at 4 a.m.

“It startled me,” Steve Stotler said. “I went out to the street to see what was going on, and that’s when the officer told me they were looking for a 4-year-old girl.”

source: people.com