Johnson Lake — The Gosper County Sheriff’s Office says the body of a missing 3 year old girl was found Thursday morning at Johnson Lake according to a news release.
Gosper County Sheriff Dennis Ocken says, shortly before 6 p.m. Wednesday, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of a 3 year old child riding on a floatation toy that had drifted out to the main area of Johnson Lake from the swim beach area in Gosper County. When the Gosper County Sheriff’s Office arrived, witnesses said the floatation toy had flipped over and the child fell into the water.
The Lexington Volunteer Fire Department Dive Team and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission personnel searched the lake. The search was called off at 10:30 p.m.
Lexington Volunteer Fire Department Dive Team and Nebraska Game & Parks Commission resumed the search Thursday at 6:30 a.m. The deceased child was located at approximately 7:30 a.m. The child has been identified as 3 year old Avery Grace Mendiola of Lexington. An autopsy was been ordered.
The Gosper County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Elwood Fire and Rescue, Lexington Volunteer Fire Department Dive Team, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Dawson County Sheriff’s Office and Nebraska State Patrol.
