Police looking for man after infant girl found in canal near Mount Vernon and I-135
Police are looking for a man after an infant girl was found alive Tuesday in a canal in the area of Mount Vernon Street and Interstate 135 in Wichita.
Officers were sent at 1:33 p.m. to a welfare check call in the area of I-135 and Pawnee Street for a report of a child in a canal. Officers, with the help of the Wichita Fire Department, found the 11-month-old girl, Wichita police spokesperson Kristopher Gupilan said.
The girl was taken to a local hospital to be checked out and is in police protective custody, Gupilan said.
Her condition is unknown. Police did not immediately respond for more details Tuesday evening.
Detectives are looking into what led up to the infant being placed in the canal.
“It is believed that Vincent James Perez may have information pertinent to the investigation. Authorities are seeking assistance in locating him for questioning,” according to a WPD news release. “Additionally, Vincent has an outstanding warrant through the Kansas Department of Corrections.”
The relationship between Perez and the infant is unclear. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Perez is encouraged to call 911 or contact detectives at 316-268-4407 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.