12-Year-Old Girl Drowns In San Jacinto River

HOUSTON, TX — A 12-year-old girl who was enjoying a Sunday afternoon on the San Jacinto River with her family, drowned while trying to save her own mother from drowning.

The incident happened in the 12000 block of Beach Street, at Magnolia Garden Park.

Family members told investigators they were all playing in water that was about waist-deep in some places, when the child’s mother began to struggle.

The girl, and another 12-year old went out to help, when the woman’s daughter stepped into a deep hole in the riverbed that could not be seen beneath the water, and disappeared.

Family members were able to help the mother and the other 12-year-old girl out of the water, but could not find the other child.

Deputies from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Marine Division searched for the girl for two hours before her body was recovered.

Lifeguards are not on duty along the San Jacinto River, leaving swimmers to swim at their own risk.

Officials warn that it can be dangerous, especially with the changes the riverbed caused by erosion, and Hurricane Harvey, KTRK reported.

Image: Shutterstock

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