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2-year-old girl, father found dead of suspected murder-suicide in Sarasota, deputies investigating

Posted at 12:56 PM, Sep 14, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-14 18:22:53-04

SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. — The sheriff's office is investigating after a 2-year-old girl and her father were found dead in a wooded area in Sarasota on Friday, according to a press release.

The sheriff's office says it appears the toddler and her father, 34-year-old Miguel Castillo-Hernandez both died of asphyxiation. Detectives believe it's a murder-suicide, the release says.

The investigation began just before 7:30 p.m. on Friday when deputies responded to the call of a family disturbance. They learned Castillo-Hernandez sent a text to the toddler's mother saying the girl was possibly dead, according to the release.

Deputies responded and began searching for Castillo-Hernandez and the little girl. They were found in a wooded area near the northeast corner of Bee Ridge Road and Honore Avenue, deputies say.

Deputies rendered aid and tried CPR on both Castillo-Hernandez and the girl, but their attempts were unsuccessful. The little girl was rushed to Doctor's Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Officials cause of death will be determined by a medical examiner.

No other information was immediately available.

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