SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities have placed an 11-month-old girl into Police Protective Custody after she was found in the canal near the area of Mt. Vernon and Interstate 135.
Just after 1p.m. Tueday, police were dispatched to conduct a welfare check in the vicinity of Interstate 135 and Pawnee in Wichita after receiving a report of a child in the canal, according to Officer Kristopher Gupilan.
Upon arrival, officers, with the assistance of the Wichita Fire Department, located the child within the canal. She was safely extracted from the canal and transported to a local hospital for precautionary medical evaluation. At present, the child is under police protective custody.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding how the child ended up in the canal is ongoing.
It is believed that Vincent James Perez may have information pertinent to the investigation. Authorities are seeking assistance in locating him for questioning. Additionally, Vincent has an outstanding warrant through the Kansas Department of Corrections. He has previous convictions for theft, aggravated assault, aggravated burglary, criminal possession of a weapon and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is encouraged to call 911 or contact Detectives at 316- 268-4407. If you wish to remain anonymous you may call Crime Stoppers at 267-2111.