NASHVILLE, Tenn.- A grief stricken and distraught mid-state family has shared they story of their 10-year-old daughter who drowned over the weekend.
Gisela Salvador died Saturday while swimming at the Cook Recreational Complex on Percy Priest Lake. Family members said that her mother took Gisela, along with her brother and sister to the lake to swim and get away from the heat.
"She loved her father dearly, she was a Daddy's girl," said Augustine Salvador, Gisela's father.
Augustine said he is heartbroken that he'll never be able to talk with her again. 10-year old Gisela was he and Estella Rodriguez's first child.
"Her mom was just trying to get something to drink for her, and she told her daughter to just stay there and wait for her there," explained one of Gisela's cousins, "She got in the water and something just happened. Her mom didn't know. She turned around and she wasn't there. "
Complete strangers ran to help, but they couldn't reach the child in time. Witnesses said she was found face down over deep water. She died later at Vanderbilt Medical Center.
Family friend Evelyn Rodriguez said now they look at their daughter's picture and can't believe she's gone.
"You know it's hard to explain until it happens to your own child. Then you can express, if you can because sometimes you just stay numb and silent," said Rodriguez.
Rodriguez said Salvador and Rodriguez are good parents faced with a tragic accident.
Estella called her daughter a pearl and a gift from God. Her cousin called her a true child.
"What she mostly liked to do was play all the time with everybody," said another of Gisela's cousins.
Metro Police investigated and an autopsy was performed on Monday. The results will be available later in the week.
Friends of the family have set up a fund to help them pay for the funeral. It's called the Gisela Salvador Memorial Fund at US Bank. Donations can be made at any branch in Middle Tennessee.
