Father of Newport 9-year-old drowning victim remembers his daughter

NEWPORT, Ark. – The city of Newport is shaken by the death of a 9-year-old girl who drowned in a lake yesterday evening.

Lavell Raymond, the father of 9-year-old Andreas Gardner says his little girl was the spark of the family. So energetic and full of life.

"Now that she is gone it's not the same," Raymond said.

He said she loved going to Newport Lake, so he never thought something like this would happen.

According to the Newport Police Department, officials responded to the tragedy at around 5:30pm. 

Law enforcement officers began a search for the juvenile who was later located unresponsive in the water.

Life-saving measures were started and the juvenile was transported to Unity Health ER where she was pronounced deceased.

The next day at Newport Lake, a memorial of teddy bears, flowers and heartfelt notes sat at the edge of the lake. 

"She was high in spirit, energetic, fun to be around, adorable, loveable,” Raymond said.

Andreas' nickname was bug and Raymond said she brought the happiness out of everybody.