Palatine Boy Pulled From Lake Michigan Dies

KALAMAZOO, MI — The 4-year-old Palatine boy who was rescued from Lake Michigan last week while visiting a southwestern Michigan state park died after he was hospitalized in critical condition for days, according to WOOD TV8. Matthew Ramirez was seen unresponsive and floating in the lake at Warren Dunes State Park in Berrien County on Aug. 1. Visitors at the park pulled him to shore and began CPR while they waited for paramedics to arrive.

According to the Berrien County Sheriff's Office, Matthew died Saturday, Aug. 5, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, the Michigan TV station reports. He was flown there after he originally being taken to Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest Palatine news. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Matthew had been visiting Warren Dunes with other family members and was playing in the lake with other children. His family members accidentally left him alone in the lake after they mistakenly believed he had gotten out of the water.

RELATED: Palatine Boy, 4, 'Fighting For Life' After Lake Michigan Rescue

The sheriff's office said authorities are waiting for Matthew's autopsy results before deciding whether any charges will be filed in the case, WOOD TV8 reports.

More via WOOD TV8

Warren Dunes State Park (Photo via State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

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