Officials identify 12-year-old girl found dead in water at Sandy Point State Park

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The 12-year-old girl whose body was recovered in the water at Sandy Point State Park on Tuesday has been identified.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources officials say Kaniya Kenly of Baltimore was part of a group of 15 people who were on an outing to the beach on Tuesday.

Capt. Brian Rathgeb with MDNR said Kaniya and three other kids, all between the ages of 11 and 15, were left alone and went into the water at a fishing area that is fenced off and has a marked "no swimming" sign.

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Rathgeb said the children entered the water at about 6:30 p.m. He said that lifeguards are not present in the area where the children entered the water and that lifeguards who were stationed at the beach go off duty at about 6 p.m.

Rathgeb said two fishermen used a life ring and attempted to help Kaniya but were unable to reach her because of the strong current. He called her death a "terrible tragedy."

Her body was recovered at about 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday about 40 yards offshore. Her remains were taken to the medical examiner's office in Baltimore.