Family mourns, asks for help following teen drowning

CARROLL COUNTY, Ga. - A Carroll County girl who nearly drowned in the Chattahoochee River is speaking out for the first time Monday with FOX 5 News.

Kendall Calhoun, 6, spent days in a hospital after a water rescue at the McIntosh Reserve Park in March. Kendall's 14-year-old sister, Alyssa, drowned saving her life. Since the incident, two other swimmers have drowned, forcing the staff at the Park to put up signs warning people of strong currents.

"We were outside playing in water and it was fun but when she drowned it was very bad," Kendall said.

The girls' grandmother Jeanette Calhoun says the family is trying to cope but needs help with gravestone costs for Alyssa.

She would like for everyone who is willing and interested to donate directly to Forest Lawn Memorial Park.