Autopsy scheduled on 9-year-old who drowned in Fox Lake

McHenry County coroner officials say an autopsy is scheduled for today on the 9-year-old Round Lake girl who drowned while swimming in Fox Lake.

Officials have not yet released the identity of the girl.

Officials said Fox Lake Fire Protection District and the Lake County Sheriff's Office responded to a call about 6:20 p.m. Tuesday on Stanton Point Road near a boat launch at Stormy Monday Bar and Grill in Ingleside.

McHenry County Coroner Anne Majewski said the girl was wading in water with family and friends but went under the surface after walking farther out from the shore.

Majewski said witnesses immediately called for help and the girl was pulled from the water by a family friend.

She was taken to Centegra Hospital — McHenry, where he she was pronounced dead.

Witness Jim Zettlemoyer of Ingleside said the kids were not wearing safety jackets when swimming near the boat launch.

“Kids should wear the jackets on the lake. And never swim around boat launches because they are always slippery,” Zettlemoyer said. “It's heart breaking because ... we were next door with our kids. And, parents you should always watch the kids on the lakes. Especially lakes with currents.”

Lake County Sheriff Sgt. Sara Balmes the death remains under investigation and no additional details are being released.