A 2-year-old who had been reported missing in Sanford was found in a nearby lake and rushed to the hospital in life-threatening condition, according to the Sanford Police Department. Officers responded Friday evening to the 500 block of N. Palmetto Avenue, where they located the child in the water.
The Sanford Police Department told WESH that the child was pulled from a nearby lake and taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. The department said the investigation remains ongoing and has not released further details.
Officials Warn Of Water Risks For Toddlers
Public-health data show that very young children are especially vulnerable around open water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 1 to 4 and recommends constant supervision, barriers such as four-sided fencing, and early swimming lessons to help lower the risk.
Not The First Local Pond Tragedy
Central Florida has seen similar incidents in recent months. In February, Sanford police found a 2-year-old unresponsive in a retention pond who later died, as reported by FOX 35 Orlando…