Chicago Heights boy, 12, drowns in Lake Michigan

A 12-year-old Chicago Heights boy drowned Thursday at Marquette Park Beach in Gary while visiting the beach with family, according to officials.

Rescuers pulled Jarail C. Lee Jr., from the water at about 6:24 p.m., a little more than an hour after the boy disappeared under the water and did not resurface. Lee was identified by the Lake County Coroner’s office and pronounced dead at the scene at 7:13 p.m.

Gary Police responded to Marquette Beach at 598 Grand Blvd., in Gary at about 5:09 p.m. after a call for a child in the water, according to Lt. Dawn Westerfield, public information officer for the Gary police.

Multiple agencies responded along with the Gary Police and Fire departments and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department aerial and marine units and rescue divers from a number of local police departments.

Gary Mayor Jerome Prince was at the west end of the beach at the time with his grandchildren picking up debris from the day. He said there were lifeguards on duty at the scene and emergency personnel responded in a timely manner.

“It’s a really tough situation. I send my condolences to the family from myself, my family and the entire city of Gary,” Prince said. “I am thankful for the additional support of the first responders from adjacent communities,” Prince said.

The boy is the 16th person to drown in Lake Michigan so far this year, according to Dave Benjamin, executive director of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. GLSRP has tracked drownings throughout the five Great Lakes since 2010.

So far in 2020 there have been 30 Great Lakes drownings and four victims that were taken to the hospital and listed in critical condition or condition unknown. It is not known if these drowning victims survived.

“Once again Great Lakes drownings are on a record pace when compared to previous years,” Benjamin said. “At this pace we will likely have 100 Great Lakes drownings in 2020.”