FAIRFIELD, CT (WFSB) -
The lake where a 10-year-old girl drowned while swimming with her mother Tuesday night is back open.
Lake Mohegan has been closed since Sunday because of high levels of bacteria levels in the water.
Police said the family should not have been swimming there when the young girl disappeared beneath the water.
Police said the girl knew how to swim, but she panicked when she fell from a shallow part of the lake into a deeper section. They said that's why people aren't supposed to swim there.
"There are rules," Fairfield Police Lt. James Perez said. "Part of the rules there should be no swimming."
A dozen of the girl's family members took a trail get to the north end of Lake Mohegan. It's a path hikers, fishers, and dog walkers take often, but police said swimmers should avoid it.
Police said around 7 p.m. 10-year-old Kathleen Trujillo of Bridgeport was swimming there with her family.
They said she and her mother ended up in a part of the lake where the bottom drops off, and the little girl panicked.
Her mother tried to pull her back in but lost her grip, and Trujillo disappeared under the water. Emergency responders were called in to comb the area, but didn't find her until 45 minutes later.
Kathleen was pronounced dead at Bridgeport Hospital.
Families were back in the water on Wednesday morning for early morning swimming lessons. Parents there said it's the part of the lake they know they should stick to.
"I think its unfortunate, but that's why there's designated swim areas and you really need to abide by the rules, its for everyone's safety," said Fairfield resident Elizabeth Stea.
Police said they are still investigating this incident and as of now are not planning on bringing any charges against the parents.
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Courtesy of DoingItLocal.com
