Missing Deerfield Beach girl, 2, found in pool, dies

DEERFIELD BEACH— A 2-year-old girl whowent missing from her home Saturday afternoon died after being found in a nearby community pool, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office.

Julianna Lacerdawas with her mother at their Centennial Court home in Independence Bay when the girl apparently slipped out undetected, BSO spokesman Mike Jachles said.

“When the father came home from running errands, that’s when they noticed the little girl wasn’t around,” said Jachles. The family called 911when they couldn’t find the missing girl at 2:27 p.m.

However, before deputies arrived on the scene, the child’s father found her in the pool, pulled her out and tried to administer CPR, Jachles said. Broward Fire-Rescue officials began aggressive resuscitative efforts when they arrived and flew Julianna via BSOAirRescue to BrowardHealthMedical Center in critical condition.

Shewas pronounced dead at the hospital at 3:34 p.m., presumably from drowning, Jachles said.

The homicide unit is conducting an investigation and the medical examiner’s office will confirm the cause of death, he said.

“We don’t believe foul play was involved,” Jachles said. “This just appears to be a very sad tragedy.”

Jachles said it’s not known howJulianna was able to get out of her house —one in a rowof single-story attached units— or how she made herway into the gated community pool, whichwas about100 feet away.

“Unfortunately, in Florida we’re surrounded by water. All it takes is a split second for a child to slip away,” Jachles said. “There’s no substitute to direct supervision by an adult.”