Girl Who Drowned in NJ Motel Pool Identified

The 9-year-old girl was found at the bottom of a Jersey Shore motel pool Wednesday

Police have identified the 9-year-old girl who was found drowned at the bottom of a Seaside Heights, N.J. motel pool as Sara Salib.

While witnesses told NBC Philadelphia that the girl's parents were nowhere in sight, police told the Star-Ledger that Sara's mother was in the pool area and that her father was "close by" at the time of the drowning.

Police refused to release the names of the girl's parents, reports the Star-Ledger.

Sara drowned a little after 5:15 p.m. at the Sky View Manor Motel at 45 Dupont Ave. in Seaside Heights, N.J. Wednesday.

Vacationers diving for a lost earring spotted the girl at the bottom of the 10-foot deep pool, according to authorities.

The 9-year-old was under water for several minutes before being rescued from the pool, according to Seaside Heights Police.

"She was completely limp," witness John Sousa told NBC Philadelphia.

A young teen trained in CPR tried to revive the girl.

"I checked her pulse -- no pulse," said 13-year-old Gianna LePore. "I tried the best I could to save her life but it didn't really work out."

The little girl was taken to a local hospital in extremely critical condition but it was too late. Sara, who was from Mine Hill, N.J., was pronounced dead around 6 p.m., police say.

Her parents were allegedly nowhere to be found at the time of the incident, witnesses told NBC Philadelphia.

Signs near the pool warn against children 16 and under swimming without adult supervision.

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