Milwaukee family suing West Bend over drowning death at Regner Park

NOW: Milwaukee family suing West Bend over drowning death at Regner Park
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A Milwaukee family is suing an assortment of West Bend officials over a drowning death at Regner Park.

According to a lawsuit filed on July 21st, 6-year-old Swannie Her was swimming at Regner Park on June 11th, 2016, when she was found unresponsive in "four to five feet of water in the south west area of the pond." 

The family says three lifeguards were at their stations, while more than 200 people swam in the pond. 

State law requires 5 lifeguards to be stationed for swimming areas larger than 10,000 square feet. The square footage of the swimming area is not posted, but a to-scale map posted on the city website shows it to be between 30,000-60,000 square feet.

According to the lawsuit, "three lifeguards actively monitoring the water were insufficient to meet the requirements of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services." 

The family also says Her was swimming in an area of the pond that requires a swim test and wristband to access. They say she had not taken a test, and was not wearing a wristband. 

The family is requesting an undisclosed amount of money as part of the lawsuit.

CBS-58 has reached out to West Bend officials for comment. 

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