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Lawrenceburg community mourns death of 5-year-old who drowned in Hidden Valley Lake

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LAWRENCEBURG, Ind. -- The community is mourning the death of a 5-year-old who drowned in a Dearborn County lake Saturday evening.

The family had spent Saturday at Hidden Valley Lake before the girl went missing, according to Patrick Green, who said he’s the girl’s uncle.

He said the child’s unexpected death has caused the family “a tremendous amount of pain.”

“The family is suffering. It’s going to take some time,” he said.

RELATED:Beaches of Dearborn Co. lake closed day after 5-year-old drowned

Patrick Beairsto lives near the lake. He said the area is almost always lively, and there are hardly ever any incidents.

“I have a 5-year-old boy, too, so it kind of gets you in the heart,” Beairsto said.

Hidden Valley resident Jon Russell said the area is a friendly community, and he feels terrible about what happened.

“No not everybody here knows everyone, but we are the kind of community as we’re out walking the street everybody waves to each other,” Russell said.

Green said the community’s support has eased the family’s pain.

“We appreciate the outreach that we’ve seen, appreciate the love and support of the community,” Green said.

Officials closed Hidden Valley Lake's beach Sunday out of respect for the family.