BOONE COUNTY — A 5-year-old girl who died after falling into a pond in Boone County has been identified. The family's 3-year-old foster child is still fighting for her life at Riley Hospital for Children.
The Boone County Sheriff's office says the two young girls fell into a pond in the 11000 block of CR 500 S just before noon Wednesday. They weren't breathing when they were pulled from the pond by family members who immediately began performing CPR.
READ | 5-year-old dies, 3-year-old critical after falling into pond
Arianna Aliff, 5, was rushed to a nearby school to wait for a medical helicopter but she did not survive her injuries. The 3-year-old was taken to Riley Hospital for Children in critical condition. The Boone County Sheriff said there were no updates on her condition on Thursday.
The sheriff says the 6-year-old's parents are licensed foster parents and have four biological children, two adopted children and two foster children.
“We are currently working very closely with the Boone County Coroner’s Office, the Indiana Department of Child Services, and the Department of Natural Resources on this investigation," Boone Co. Sheriff Michael Nielsen said. "First and foremost, please keep the Aliff family in your thoughts and prayers. This is a tragedy that none of us should ever have to endure, the loss or serious injury of a child. I want to assure everyone that we will continue to do our due diligence in finding out why this happened, or how it could have been prevented. Please respect the privacy of the family as they grieve during this difficult time.”
The Boone County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate this incident, along with the Indiana Department of Child Services and Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
