Ten-Year-Old Girl Identified as Drowning Victim in DeKalb Pond Incident

DEKALB — Authorities have released more details about the victim in Sunday’s drowning at a pond in DeKalb near 600 Ridge Drive as a 10-year-old girl. Emergency crews were dispatched around 6 p.m. after children reported their friend had gone underwater and not resurfaced. Police and fire personnel entered the water immediately, and additional support, including 18 divers and specialized equipment such as drones and sonar, was brought in through mutual aid. Despite extensive efforts, the child was not found until roughly four hours later under difficult water conditions. She was pronounced dead at Northwestern Kishwaukee Community Hospital and the incident remains under investigation.