6-year-old boy dies after rescuing friend

The Associated Press

CHICAGO -- A 6-year-old boy who was found under water after he managed to rescue a young friend from a swimming pool has died, according to authorities.

Donald Houser-Richerme died Monday at a hospital in Oak Lawn, where he had been in critical condition since June 7. The boy saved 5-year-old Karah Moran from drowning in a half-empty pool at an apartment complex in Chicago Ridge. He was under water anywhere from five to 20 minutes.

The boy's mother, Michelle Cartolano, called police chief Tim Baldermann on Monday to tell him her son had died.

"That family has been through an awful lot this past week, and throughout the whole ordeal they've shown a lot of dignity, class and strength," Baldermann said.

Authorities and family members said Donny and two other children discovered the unlocked pool Monday, and Karah climbed or fell in.

The pool was empty, but five feet of blackened rainwater had accumulated at the deep end, and Donny jumped into the shallow end to try to pull the girl to safety. Both slid into the water; Donny helped the girl reach a ladder but could not save himself.

Authorities said they would not file charges against the owner of the apartment complex after learning a maintenance man had cut the pool's lock.