Child Pulled Out Of Lake Michigan In Kenosha Has Died: Police

KENOSHA, WI — A 5-year-old was pulled from Lake Michigan 50 feet from shore in Kenosha Monday, was brought to the hospital, and has since died, the Kenosha Police Department announced Tuesday.

It happened at Pennoyer Beach Park near Kenosha's Bandshell. Authorities were called out just before 6 p.m. for the report of an 8-year-old struggling in the water, but that child was pulled to safety and is now OK, police said. Amid the rescue operation for the older child, however, a 5-year-old from the same group went missing.

Authorities said they feared the younger child had been playing near the Pike Creek River outlet, so a search was immediately focused there. The U.S. Coast Guard was called in from the Kenosha station and local dive teams were summoned. A citizen offered his personal drone amid the search, which was put into action, police said.

After about 15 minutes of flight, the drone located the child away from shore, police said. The child was pulled from the water and brought to the hospital, but tragically, has died, police said.

Lake Michigan has claimed 23 lives so far in 2022, according to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. The Great Lakes at large have claimed 54 lives this year, the group said.

Police say they are still investigating the 5-year-old's death.

"Seeing something like this is shocking and County resources are available to help people process what they witnessed," said Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman in the police news release.

Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian offered sympathy and prayers to the family in the news release, and encouraged anyone who needs assistance in dealing with the tragedy to contact the Mental Health Resource Center at 262-764-8555.