Police Name 8-Year-Old Girl Who Drowned Swimming in Missouri

GLENHAM, S.D. (AP) — Authorities have identified an 8-year-old girl who drowned while swimming in the Missouri River in northern South Dakota.

The Walworth County sheriff's office says Mikayla Gruenstein of Columbia, South Dakota, was with family members Sunday morning near New Evarts Resort south of Glenham.

The sheriff's office says the girl was at a beach swimming when her family saw her struggling.

The American News in Aberdeen reports the Gruenstein's family tried to rescue her, but she went into deeper water and disappeared.

Pam White was Gruenstein's teacher at Roncalli Elementary School. She says the girl was smart, polite and that her death is a big loss to the school system.

Funeral services are pending.

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