Jessica Lindsey, the 6-year-old girl who on Sunday was pulled unconscious from Whipple Lake, remained in critical condition Monday at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis.
Jessica, who was celebrating her birthday with family and friends at Whipple Beach Park, was located by family members about 7:15 p.m. face down in the water about 60-75 feet from shore, the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Department reported.
Sgt. Scott Goddard, sheriff's boat and water patrol supervisor, said Jessica's near drowning was an accident. He said the girl was swimming with several others in Whipple Lake but it wasn't exactly known how Jessica became unresponsive in the water.
"All of a sudden she went under the water and wasn't noticed for a short period of time," Goddard said.
People at the beach attempted to revive Jessica before paramedics arrived. She was taken by North Ambulance to St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd, then airlifted in critical condition to Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. Baxter police and Crow Wing County sheriff's deputies assisted at the beach.
Goddard said Jessica was reported in critical condition Monday afternoon at Children's Hospital. A hospital spokeswoman said she couldn't release Jessica's condition without her parents' approval.
Goddard also said Jessica's family was going to create a CaringBridge Web site for the family to post updates and allow people to leave messages.
MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.
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