Where is Baby Jessica Now? When Did She Fell in the Well?
by Alaguvelan M
Updated May 09, 2023
Baby Jessica
Jessica McClure Morales is also known as Baby Jessica and she was born on March 26, 1986, in Midland, Texas, U.S. At just 18 months old, Jessica tumbled into an 8-inch well in her aunt's Midland, Texas backyard on October 14, 1987. Rescuers worked tirelessly for 56 hours to free her from the well casing, which was approximately 22 feet (7 meters) below the ground. The incident gained international coverage and was later depicted in the 1989 ABC TV film titled "Everybody's Baby: The Rescue of Jessica McClure."
A mining engineer was called in to oversee the rescue mission in Midland, Texas. The officials initially tried to drill a parallel shaft to the well and a horizontal cross-tunnel to rescue the 18-month-old Jessica, enlisting the help of local oil drillers. However, the plan was halted when they discovered that the well was surrounded by rock, and their jackhammers were designed for downward drilling, not horizontal. Eventually, waterjet cutting was used to cut through the rock.
After 45 hours of drilling, the adjacent shaft and cross-tunnel were complete. Rescuers could hear Jessica singing "Winnie the Pooh" during the operation. Although a roofing contractor named Ron Short volunteered to go down the shaft, paramedic Robert O'Donnell was the one who managed to inch his way into the tunnel and free Jessica from her position pinned inside the well. He then handed her to a fellow paramedic, who carried her up to safety and transferred her to another paramedic waiting in the ambulance.
Where is Baby Jessica Now?
Baby Jessica, whose real name is Jessica McClure Morales, still lives in Midland, Texas. She gained worldwide fame in 1987 at the age of 18 months after falling into a well and being rescued after 58 hours. She underwent multiple surgeries and lost a toe to gangrene as a result of the incident. Baby Jessica received an outpouring of support from the public, including an established trust fund that is reported to have lost much of its value over the years. She has mostly remained out of the public eye since then, living a quiet life and working as a special-education teacher's aide. She has occasionally spoken about the incident in interviews but generally prefers to keep a low profile.
Jessica, who is still occasionally referred to as "Baby Jessica," leads a peaceful existence in Midland, Texas. Her husband, Danny, is a 43-year-old foreman at a pipe supply company, and Jessica works as a special-education teacher's assistant at a nearby elementary school.
When Did Baby Jessica Fell in the Well?
Baby Jessica fell into the well in her aunt's backyard in Midland, Texas on October 14, 1987, when she was only 18 months old. The incident received worldwide attention and a dramatic rescue effort lasting over 58 hours followed, ultimately leading to her successful rescue.
The incident captured the attention of the world and led to a dramatic and emotionally charged rescue effort that lasted for over two days. The rescue crews worked tirelessly to free Baby Jessica from the well casing, which was only eight inches in diameter. The rescue proved to be extremely difficult, as the well was over 20 feet deep and the ground conditions made it challenging to avoid a cave-in. However, the rescuers were eventually successful in freeing Baby Jessica after 58 hours, and she was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Rescuers used a high-pressure water drill to cut through the final rock barrier in their efforts to rescue 18-month-old Jessica, who had fallen into a well in Midland, Texas. The nation was captivated as all three networks switched to live coverage of the rescue attempt. After nearly 56 hours, a paramedic emerged from the rescue shaft carrying Jessica, swaddled in bandages, with only her nose and wisps of blond hair visible. Despite suffering injuries to her foot and forehead, doctors were optimistic that Jessica would not require amputation and may need only cosmetic surgery. The rescue was a rare happy ending, and for a moment, the nation was transported back to a time when hard work and prayer could accomplish anything.
How Old is Baby Jessica Now?
Baby Jessica, whose real name is Jessica McClure Morales, was born on March 26, 1986. As of May 2023, she is now 37 years old. Since her famous rescue from the well in 1987, she has mostly kept a low profile. She currently lives in Midland, Texas, with her husband and two children and works as a special-education teacher's aide. Although she prefers to avoid the spotlight, Baby Jessica's story of survival continues to serve as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of community in times of crisis.
After Jessica McClure was rescued from the well on October 16, 1987, doctors were concerned about the condition of her foot as it had sustained damage due to a lack of blood flow during her 58-hour entrapment with her leg elevated above her head. They decided to attempt hyperbaric therapy in an effort to avoid amputating the foot entirely. Ultimately, doctors only needed to amputate one of her toes because of gangrene caused by the loss of circulation while she was in the well. Although Jessica has a scar on her forehead where it rubbed against the good casing, she has no first-hand memory of the incident or the 15 surgeries that followed. Her parents divorced in 1990.
Baby Jessica Injuries
Jessica McClure's rescue from the well in 1987, suffered several injuries, including a head injury, cuts, bruises, and a broken arm. Furthermore, because of the way her foot was positioned above her head for 58 and a half hours, there was a risk of severe damage to her foot due to the loss of blood flow. Although doctors initially feared that they would have to amputate her foot, they were ultimately able to save it, although she did lose a toe to gangrene. Jessica underwent 15 surgeries in the years following her rescue to address her injuries, including skin grafts to repair damaged tissue on her forehead and foot.
Baby Jessica suffered from exposure to the elements, dehydration, and lack of oxygen. Rescuers were able to pump oxygen into the well and provide her with fluids and food through a narrow pipe to help keep her alive. She also suffered a head injury, cuts and bruises all over her body, and a broken arm as a result of being trapped in the well. In addition, because of the position of her foot wedged above her head, doctors had to carefully monitor her circulation.
They were eventually able to save her foot, but she lost a toe due to lack of circulation and the onset of gangrene. After being rescued, she was hospitalized for a month and underwent multiple surgeries to address her injuries, including procedures to repair damaged skin and bone. Despite these injuries, Baby Jessica went on to make a full recovery and has lived a relatively private life since.
Where is Baby Jessica Now - FAQs
Baby Jessica, whose real name is Jessica McClure, fell into a well in 1987 when she was just 18 months old and was trapped there for 58 and a half hours before being rescued.
Baby Jessica suffered from exposure to the elements, dehydration, a head injury, cuts, bruises, a broken arm, and a risk of severe damage to her foot due to loss of blood flow. She ultimately lost a toe to gangrene.
Rescuers pumped oxygen into the well, provided her with fluids and food through a narrow pipe, and eventually managed to lift her out of the well using a specially designed cage.
Baby Jessica was hospitalized for a month and underwent multiple surgeries to address her injuries. She eventually made a full recovery and has lived a relatively private life since.
Baby Jessica's rescue captured the attention of millions of people around the world and inspired a sense of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.