Members of a north suburban community are mourning the death of a 9-year-old girl who drowned while swimming in Fox Lake Tuesday.
It happened around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday near a boat launch on the 36000 block of Stanton Point Road in Ingleside. At some point as the girl was swimming with other kids, she went under the water, police said.
Police said adults were able to pull the girl out of the water but it was too late to save her life.
The Grail, identified as Mireya Cardenas of Round Lake, was transported to Centegra Hospital in McHenry where she was pronounced dead, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office.
Mia, as she was known to her teachers, was said to be "a sweet, kind-hearted child."
"Fremont has known this child as a beautiful young girl who loved drawing pictures. Our staff always said she'd grow up to be an artist," Dr. Jill Gildea, Fremont School District 79 superintendent, said in a statement.
“Everyday she gave you a hug. She was just so precious," said district employee Colleen Downey.
Visitation for Mia will take place from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday at The Chapel, 1200 American Way, in Libertyville. A Memorial service will also be held at The Chapel at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
