An eight-year-old jumped into Bass Lake with his clothes on and pulled a three-year-old out. This week the sheriff came to say thank you.
Kingsley Espitia was fishing at the Bass Lake public access near Underwood, Minnesota, in July when a three-year-old fell into the water. He went in after the boy without stopping to take anything off, and pulled him back to shore. This week Otter Tail County Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons came to the city council meeting to give him a letter of commendation.
17 September 2026
Photo: Otter Tail County Sheriff's Office, via KVRR
An eight-year-old from Underwood, Minnesota, has been given a letter of commendation by the Otter Tail County Sheriff's Office for pulling a three-year-old out of Bass Lake in July, KVRR in Fargo reported on Monday.
Kingsley Espitia was fishing at the Bass Lake public access, the public boat landing on the lake, when the younger boy fell into the water. Kingsley jumped in after him with his clothes still on and pulled him back to safety.
The sheriff's office said his quick thinking, courage and willingness to act prevented what could have been a tragic outcome.
The council meeting
Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons presented the award at a meeting of Underwood city council this week, with Chief Deputy Reed Reinbold beside him and Kingsley between the two of them, holding the framed letter with both hands. The sheriff's office described the award as recognition for courageous and selfless actions.
Underwood is a small town in the lake country of west-central Minnesota. Kingsley is eight.
Carry a story in five words
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Yesterday: Troy police formed a human chain down the seawall and rescued both the eight-year-old in the Hudson River and the neighbor who went in after her. The five: police human chain rescued eight-year-old.