Child found in lake dies

A child found in High Rock Lake after being reported missing earlier today has died, authorities say.

Emergency personnel discovered the toddler in the water after a nearly 40-minute search.

The 16-month-old was reported missing around 1 p.m. from a lakefront home at 710 Catfish Road, off Panther Point Road. Searchers called for an EMS unit when they found the child.

The child was apparently in the water for minutes.

Medical personnel tried unsuccessfully to save the child's life. He was pronounced dead just after 4 p.m., the Sheriff's Office said.

Eddie Cress of the Rowan County Rescue Squad, said the child’s mother called 911 after discovering the child missing.

“The mother turned around and the child was gone. He had got out through the back door,” Cress said.

A Rowan County deputy found the child floating in the edge of High Rock Lake, about 50 feet from the back door of the house.

Cress said Rescue Squad and Sheriff’s Office personnel set up to do a “hasty search” of  a 300-foot area around the house in all directions.

The child was found in the initial search.

Although the child was non-responsive, Rowan County EMS started CPR and continued that on the way to Rowan Regional Medical Center.

The Sheriff's Office declined to release the family's names until other relatives are notified.

The Rowan County Rescue Squad, Rowan County Sheriff's Office and N.C. Highway Patrol were involved in the search and called for boats and a State Highway Patrol helicopter.