8 Year Old Falls In Lake, Dies

By Rachelle Bowden in News on Aug 11, 2004 5:04PM

Rosalia Jimenez took her 8-year-old daughter and her 9-month-old son out for a walk at Monroe Harbor on Lake Michigan at about 9:45 p.m. on Monday night. Angelica, the daughter, was throwing rocks into the water not far from Buckingham Fountain when she lost footing and slipped and fell into the lake. In a moment of panic, Rosalia jumped in after her and somehow took the stroller that held her son in with her. Exactly how the boy fell in is a mystery, but police are guessing that Rosalia jumped into the lake with her baby because she didn't want to leave him alone on land.

A boat captain noticed the family struggling in the water and he and others jumped in to rescue them. They were taken to a local hospital where Angelica sadly died. Rosalia was treated and released. Her baby boy remains in critical condition at Children's Memorial.

This sobering accident is a reminder to us to be extra careful on the lakeshore. Even the lake's most shallow areas have a powerful rip current. If you're ever caught in one the most important thing to do is to not panic. The best thing to do if you're caught in a rip is to try to float on your back and wave for assistance or to swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the rip current and then swim directly towards the shore.

Update: Cecilio, Rolalia's 9-month-old baby, died today at Children's Memorial.