Ojai Girl, 5, Hospitalized After Nearly Drowning in Motel Swimming Pool

A 5-year-old Ojai girl was in guarded but stable condition at a hospital Saturday night after being found face down earlier in the day in a motel swimming pool, authorities said.

Andrea Clark was taken by ambulance to Ojai Valley Community Hospital after she was found about 4:30 p.m. in the pool at the El Camino Motel at 406 W. Ojai Avenue in Ojai, the Ventura County Fire Department said.

A nursing supervisor said Andrea was conscious and talking Saturday night and was to be transferred to the pediatrics ward at Ventura County Medical Center in Ventura.

Andrea, her parents and siblings had been visiting Stacey Molden and her family, who have been staying at the motel since late July.

Molden’s 3-year-old daughter and Andrea had been playing on some stairs in the shallow end of the pool when Andrea went under, Molden said. Molden and Andrea’s parents were nearby but had briefly turned their heads, Molden said.

A nurse staying at the motel assisted Andrea until paramedics arrived, Molden said.

An unidentified manager said motel rules prohibit unregistered guests from using the pool.