Child drowns in retention pond

Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 20, 2000

TAMPA -- A toddler drowned in a retention pond behind her Tampa home Saturday afternoon, Tampa Fire Rescue officials said.

The 13-month-old girl wandered away from her home at 2301 Farwell Drive about 5:30 p.m. Police received a call for a missing person, and the toddler's body was found a few minutes later, said Capt. Bill Wade, Tampa Fire Rescue spokesman.

Paramedics performed CPR, but the girl was pronounced dead at St. Joseph's Hospital. Authorities estimated she was underwater for at least five minutes.

Fire officials would not release the girl's name Saturday afternoon.

Police are investigating how the girl got into the retention pond.

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